Team Training

The team has a full and active annual training calendar, designed to cover core skills required and to ensure that the team is prepared and ready to respond to difficult situations, in a safe and controlled way . This involves a minimum of two evening training sessions and a full day practice every month. Although getting to every practice is not realistic, team members are expected to attend a high percentage and their attendance and skills are monitored by the team's training officer.

The training calendar is based on ten key areas of competence:

  • Navigation
  • Casualty Care
  • Equipment
  • Searching
  • Crag Rescue
  • Helicopters
  • Command and Control
  • Communications
  • Water Rescue
  • Driving

There are many external courses available to the budding mountain rescuer, hosted by various providers including MREW, LDASMRA, other M.R. Teams and outdoor centres. These are set to recognised standards and team members are regularly offered opportunities to further their skills, for their own sake and the team's benefit. In addition to this the team also has a winter skills training weekend in Scotland. This allows team members to practice in conditions that are not guaranteed in the Lake District.

Casualty Care is a key focus across the board. Team members are examined on the nationally recognised "Cas Care Certificate" on a three yearly cycle. Members who do not hold this award must hold a relevant nationally recognised first aid qualification.

Recruitment and Training of Probationary Members

The team is always interested to receive applications to join us from prospective members and usually conducts interviews twice a year with a year's training programme for successful candidates during which they will be gradually introduced to real call-outs. Many skills and ability to work closely with others are needed, but the foundation is that applicants have a good level of mountain experience, in both summer and winter conditions; as well as an ability to navigate, be self-sufficient and safe under  all likelly conditions, including at night.

If you are interested in joining, contact the team secretary for a chat and an application form. To become a full team member takes a year and starts with an interview and a full hill day. Attending training sessions as a probationary member allows time to become fully conversant with team activities and importantly a time to get to know the 35+ other team members.