Category Archives: Training

Land search training at Ardgillan

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This morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team took part in a large scale missing person search exercise in the vast grounds of Ardgillan Demesne, 3 miles North of Skerries. The exercise was centred on the scenario of two persons reported missing in the park, with several hours passed since they were last sighted.

The various search teams were briefed and dispatched to search the large area of mixed woodlands and grasslands, each dissected by various tracks and trails.

The exercise proved very beneficial and the search teams successfully located their various clues and targets. The training scenario then moved on to cover emergency medical treatment of the “casualties”, stretcher extraction from the dense woodland and preparation of a helicopter landing site on nearby grassland.

The Skerries team have previously assisted Gardai with several missing person searches involving woodland and grassland areas and this exercise proved a useful opportunity of testing and refreshing the skills involved.

Photos of this exercise are available in our online gallery.

For more information on Ardgillan Castle and Demesne, visit their website at www.ardgillancastle.ie

Skerries Coast Guard – a voluntary rescue unit of the Irish Coast Guard.

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Night search training at Barnageera Bay

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This evening, the Skerries Coast Guard team were out in force at Barnageera Bay, 2 miles North of Skerries for some night search training. The exercise was centred on a missing person scenario, with the difficult on scene weather conditions of gale force winds adding to the challenge. Several search teams were deployed with their full rescue kit to cover the various sections of the rocky search area, which stretched for over one mile along the coast. 

White parachute flares were deployed from the high cliffs overlooking the bay, proving very effective at illuminating large sections of the shoreline. Overall, the exercise was very useful with all the search teams successfully and quickly locating their missing person “targets”.

Skerries Coast Guard – a voluntary rescue unit of the Irish Coast Guard.

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty, even if you only think someone could be in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save their life.

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Search training at Bremore, Balbriggan

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This morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team conducted a search training exercise at Bremore, one mile north of Balbriggan harbour. This scenario based exercise included a detailed shore search covering several miles of the North Balbriggan coast. Weather on scene was favourable, with good visibility and dry conditions. As part of the exercise, the team also fired several marine flares. Photos of this exercise are available in our online gallery.

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty, even if you only think that someone could be in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save their life.

Skerries Coast Guard – a voluntary rescue unit of the Irish Coast Guard

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Oxygen awareness training

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This evening, the Skerries Coast Guard team took part in oxygen awareness training. This interactive session centred on the use of oxygen in pre-hospital medical and trauma emergencies. Oxygen is one of the most commonly used medications in the pre-hospital emergency care environment.

The training session included an explanation of the different types of oxygen cylinders available and the important safety considerations with their use. The team took part in a practical instruction in the use of the common white CD portable oxygen cylinder, which holds up to 460L of compressed oxygen.

The brief also covered the range of oxygen delivery devices used in the pre-hospital emergency care environment, including; non rebreather mask, venturi mask, nebuliser mask, nasal cannula, and the bag valve mask (BVM). The appropriate flow rates for each mask was also discussed along with the resulting oxygen % delivery.

The team explored the vast range of pre-hospital emergency scenarios where oxygen is used and the special considerations required for COPD (Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease) casualties.  The team also received a practical demonstration on the typical oxygen saturation (SpO2) measuring devices used in pre-hospital care, and their associated limitations.

Overall, the evening proved extremely informative and emphasised the importance of awareness of the use of this vital component of pre-hospital emergency care management.  

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