CPR saves cyclist on Bealach na Ba cycle race
May 18, 2009
Many of you may have heard about the cyclist who was in trouble round the coast road from Applecross to Shieldaig during the Cycle Sportif on the Bealach Na Ba. A report from Hands on Events said "We are pleased to confirm that the cyclist airlifted from the event at the weekend has undergone an operation to clear a blocked artery and a full recovery is anticipated.We would like to express our thanks to the two doctors and the unknown cyclist who administered the initial CPR. The quick thinking and professional skills of these people contributed to this positive outcome. We are also grateful for the decisiveness of Torridon MRT and skill of the Stornaway Coastguard who ensured the quick evacuation of the casualty to Broadford Hospital."
The unknown cyclist was a man who had recently done a BASP first aid course, he was pleased that his training had helped to save this cyclist's life.
posted by BASP @ 3:01 PM 0 comments 
0 Comments:
FIPS - conclusions from Martyn Asker
May 06, 2009
My thoughts having never been before: skiing, good although very much end of season.
Lectures, some were very interesting some not, best being the avalanche stuff, but that was professionally presented. The Aussies did a lot, but they had to present to be there (fully funded), Japanese hilarious (but I didn't laugh), I think the FIPs in Japan could be a cultural train wreak
Practicals, mostly good, avalanche stuff great.
Overall I am glad I went, I think that:-
a) We Brits can ski, we ski well and as far as skiing to patrol is concerned can hold our own.
b) We are ahead in the medical areas, we have more freedom and are more highly skilled.
c) practically, rope, sledge, etc. while there was little work (none) on this, we worked as a team where required and presented stronger skills than most.
Lectures, some were very interesting some not, best being the avalanche stuff, but that was professionally presented. The Aussies did a lot, but they had to present to be there (fully funded), Japanese hilarious (but I didn't laugh), I think the FIPs in Japan could be a cultural train wreak
Practicals, mostly good, avalanche stuff great.
Overall I am glad I went, I think that:-
a) We Brits can ski, we ski well and as far as skiing to patrol is concerned can hold our own.
b) We are ahead in the medical areas, we have more freedom and are more highly skilled.
c) practically, rope, sledge, etc. while there was little work (none) on this, we worked as a team where required and presented stronger skills than most.
Other members should definitely go, given the opportunity, it is a worth while experience. However, I feel that members (BASP) should go based upon merit, particularly if they are partially funded by BASP, if they are totally self funded as were some of the Americans then they can do what they like. However, if you are receiving partial funding from the home organisation attendance to some lectures would be a good idea.
Thanks to Martyn for updating the BASP_FIPS facebook diary daily while he was out in Sweden. BASP members are welcome to join this group, however it is not likely to be updated again for a while. More reports will be given to BASP members through the newsletter and special updates and at the AGM. Applications to attend the next FIPS conference are welcome at any time.
posted by BASP @ 5:30 PM 0 comments
0 Comments:
FIPS - Last night dinner and gift presentations1st May
Here are the Swedish team that put the whole thing together, they had a massive round of applause with standing ovation, well deserved.
We have just completed the last meal together, many presentations and gifts so the stuff we all brought has been replaced with other stuff that must go home.
Marie Nordgren, the main organiser kicks off the presentations.
Kate Hunter BASP, Ingrid Ivarsson Ã.re, Terry Abram Canada, Carolynn Honey USA, Fernando Herrera Chile, and Cesari Gerardi Italy.
Kate Hunter receiving gift from French delegate.
Marie Nordgren, the main organiser kicks off the presentations.Kate Hunter BASP, Ingrid Ivarsson Ã.re, Terry Abram Canada, Carolynn Honey USA, Fernando Herrera Chile, and Cesari Gerardi Italy.Kate Hunter receiving gift from French delegate.
Next FIPs in Japan2011 dates to be confirmed. http://en.rusutsu.co.jp/ check it out.Very detailed lecture from the resort owner about the area and Hokkaido in general
en.rusutsu.co.jp Hokkaido's resort,'Rusutsu Resort'. Abuta-gun, Hokkaido. Playing golf, having fun at the amusement park and a variety of activities such as rafting and canoeing can be enjoyed in the summer.
en.rusutsu.co.jp Hokkaido's resort,'Rusutsu Resort'. Abuta-gun, Hokkaido. Playing golf, having fun at the amusement park and a variety of activities such as rafting and canoeing can be enjoyed in the summer.
posted by BASP @ 3:13 PM 0 comments
0 Comments:
FIPS - Scottish night
Evening time in AreThe Scottish night, well more of a Scottish, Aussie, Chile night really, we had whiskey Scottish & English, Australian wines and Chillean cocktails, food from Scotland and Music music music.
Christine Gillespie shares a dram with Australian delegate
Keith Hill and Dr John Holmes sharing a bit of Scottish water with other delegates
A variety of Whisky's taken to share with delegates on Scottish night.Great fun all enjoyed and dancing went on into the night. Many people of all nationalities gaining a better understanding of each other, great.
Stats: 13 bottles of Whiskey, 20 bottles wine and 1 bottle of Pisco (Chile)
posted by BASP @ 2:34 PM 0 comments
0 Comments:
FIPS - Thursday 30th April
I have uploaded a few videos of the activities avalanche victim extraction (work) but as it was a dummy fun as well and a good way to learn.
What I think is important here is look at the uniforms see the different patrollers of different organisations and countries working together, this is FIPs at its best. http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=1655182555#/video/video.php?v=1044459445804&ref=mf
We have now shifted a massive amount of snow, The victim is considered to have hypothermia, hence we are proceeding very gently http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=1655182555#/video/video.php?v=1044463765912
Exposing more of the victim http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=1655182555#/video/video.php?v=1044469606058
posted by BASP @ 11:49 AM 0 comments
0 Comments:
FIPS 29th April
Lazy day for some today. I went skiing this morning for a few hours. Did the whole hill including the back, great fun off piste, V steep bit of a walk out though (hmm familiar that!)Then this afternoon had a wander around the town and lake area.
Preparing for out of season activities like zip wires and bike park. 
Preparing for out of season activities like zip wires and bike park.
The delegated had lectures this morning :-Canada, introducing changes in the Canadian Ski Patrol. France,USA, Australia looking at hydration.
Also a look at Trauma in skiing in 20 years.
This afternoon and evening the delegates have all gone to the Klocka Homestead this is a cultural trip exploring food and peoples of the region. More later.
posted by BASP @ 11:47 AM 0 comments
0 Comments:
FIPS - Wednesday & Scottish night
Today is the evening of the Scottish night, this is where we show the other delegates some of our culture, this obviously involves whisky, hence I am doing this report in two parts as the second part may not be published till the morning.
Today started off with presentations on the work of patrollers in Switzerland, there is a problem in the perceived role of patrollers and the ski areas, this had resulted in a TV program (we watched) and a campaign for increased safety.
We next had a presentation about the law, always guaranteed to have your jaw dropping in amazement.
Then we had presentations by the Japanese, introducing their ski patrol training methods (amazing) and the venue for the next FIPs, they presented some medals to other delegates.
Then there was a description of the new FIPs web site and how to access it http://www.fips-skipatrol.org/
Finally John Holmes from BASP presented 'Head injuries recognition and treatment', followed by safety equipment, helmets etc. Gerry Cameron was due to present the safety equipment but unfortunately due to illness he is not here, however we have heard that he is on the road to recovery and should be restored to full health soon, so that was great news.
The BASP presentations were both very well received with lots of questions and comments from the floor. More work could be done on both subjects.
Today started off with presentations on the work of patrollers in Switzerland, there is a problem in the perceived role of patrollers and the ski areas, this had resulted in a TV program (we watched) and a campaign for increased safety.We next had a presentation about the law, always guaranteed to have your jaw dropping in amazement.
Then we had presentations by the Japanese, introducing their ski patrol training methods (amazing) and the venue for the next FIPs, they presented some medals to other delegates.
Then there was a description of the new FIPs web site and how to access it http://www.fips-skipatrol.org/
Finally John Holmes from BASP presented 'Head injuries recognition and treatment', followed by safety equipment, helmets etc. Gerry Cameron was due to present the safety equipment but unfortunately due to illness he is not here, however we have heard that he is on the road to recovery and should be restored to full health soon, so that was great news.
The BASP presentations were both very well received with lots of questions and comments from the floor. More work could be done on both subjects.
posted by BASP @ 11:41 AM 0 comments
0 Comments:
FIPS - Tuesday 28th April Avalanche day
It was all outside action today with a set of events set up by Manual. He is a Swiss guy that runs avalanche training.
This is Manual the days organiser, he did a great job and made sure we were all Ok. But....he is a wee bit strict.
After training we dug down about 2.5 meters, made a ramp way in for the sledge and did this in about 11 mins.
This is essential to get to the casualty in time.
Casualty extraction:-This explored more of the state of the casualty upon and during recovery how to get them out fast <35>35mins if cold. 
Transceiver training:-This included checking and finding one casualty.
Dog Recovery:-I have seen the SARDA dogs in action, but still it is impressive. They are also playing around with the dog carrying a transceiver and relaying this back to the dog handler by radio, the dog is then told what to do via radio. The dog understood Norwegien, I think they have a way to go with this and honestly the dog knows what to do anyway!
Transceiver training multiple burials:-This was an extension of the above but using the grid pattern, worked OK.
Recco:-This taught us how to use the recco device this is like a hand held radar then picks up those little units sewn in ski wear.
Transceiver range testing:-This was just and exercise to show us how to improve the chances of detecting a poorly operating, deep or distant casualty.
Deep burial techniques and micro box searches:-The first was obvious this is where the casualty may be very deep 3 meters ish. The micro box is a way of finding casualties when there may be a lot in one place, this worked very well and we were able to find 5 units on close proximity.
This is a set of equipment they bury to represent casualties, we had to find all of them. They switch them on and off remoetly very impressive.
This is Manual the days organiser, he did a great job and made sure we were all Ok. But....he is a wee bit strict.We were all split up into teams and headed up the mountain. Then each group attended a class of abut 45 ins duration.
This was a great day. The classes were:-Shoveling and excavating deep in the snow debris.This was a lot more interesting than it sounds and the lady taking the class was very impressive in her knowledge and commitment.
This was a great day. The classes were:-Shoveling and excavating deep in the snow debris.This was a lot more interesting than it sounds and the lady taking the class was very impressive in her knowledge and commitment.
After training we dug down about 2.5 meters, made a ramp way in for the sledge and did this in about 11 mins.
This is essential to get to the casualty in time.Casualty extraction:-This explored more of the state of the casualty upon and during recovery how to get them out fast <35>35mins if cold. Transceiver training:-This included checking and finding one casualty.
Dog Recovery:-I have seen the SARDA dogs in action, but still it is impressive. They are also playing around with the dog carrying a transceiver and relaying this back to the dog handler by radio, the dog is then told what to do via radio. The dog understood Norwegien, I think they have a way to go with this and honestly the dog knows what to do anyway!
Transceiver training multiple burials:-This was an extension of the above but using the grid pattern, worked OK.
Recco:-This taught us how to use the recco device this is like a hand held radar then picks up those little units sewn in ski wear.
Transceiver range testing:-This was just and exercise to show us how to improve the chances of detecting a poorly operating, deep or distant casualty.
This was a deep bury exersize, the tranciever below the surface was about three meters down, by only using his tranceiver and one hit with the probe
He missed by this amount!
He missed by this amount!Deep burial techniques and micro box searches:-The first was obvious this is where the casualty may be very deep 3 meters ish. The micro box is a way of finding casualties when there may be a lot in one place, this worked very well and we were able to find 5 units on close proximity.
This is a set of equipment they bury to represent casualties, we had to find all of them. They switch them on and off remoetly very impressive.They have amazing piste machines there! Some even bring you coffee!
posted by BASP @ 11:17 AM 0 comments
0 Comments:
FIPS Monday 27th April
Sunday afternoon and Monday had a lectures on Recco and Disability snowsports, delegates were inside and outside viewing the facilities.
Disabled Ski school, thay have a policy of allowing any and all, no matter age or disability to ski. They also want it to be the same cost as for a non disabled person. What is really neat is that they allow the skier to do as much themselves as possible.
Jeff Starkey trying out the kit used by the disabled skiers
This is a ski cart, it is driven using the upper body, but can be adapted to allow varying levels of control £5000 a pop
The itallians, they make oranage look really good
Monday Report
Started off this morning early breakfast at 07:30. followed at 8 by an introduction from the Australian Ski Patrol. Then we dissapeared down the Tram line to the Holiday Club in the town centre for a series of lectures on avalanche techniques, search recovery and care of casualties, this will lead into a day on the mountain tomorrow following this up and expanding on it.
Interesting part was the actual shifting of the snow once casualty located. It is remarkable how organisation can help here, bringing the recovery time down quite markedly.This afternoon was continued by the Aussies with explanation of their extended care plans and courses. This covers detail where you cannot immediately move the casualty to a medical centre or hospital, but have to care for the casualty for an extended time.They also are looking into methods to ensure the ski patrollers look after their own backs by reducing lifting requirements.
Finally the formal day ended with a demo of a medical evacuation of an injured skier making use of a Qvick Splint.During the day there are useful demonstrations by various manufacturers of equipment and clothing that could be of interest to ski patrol.
This evening we are being joined by members of the Swedish Ski patrol SLAO for dinner.
posted by BASP @ 11:04 AM 0 comments
0 Comments:
FIPS travel to Sweden and Opening Ceremony
BASP delegates left the UK and travelled to Sweden, some flew to Sweden and had to transfer via train from a place called Hell (see picture) it was as well, no cafe, no shop, nothing, not even a time table.
They arrived safely and there was even some snow still around.
The opening ceremony was on Sunday with Snowbird (last FIPS conference) handing the FIPS flag to Are. BASP delegates were all there while all the country flags were raised.
posted by BASP @ 10:32 AM 0 comments
0 Comments:
Archives
