SES training weekend

As I wrote in a blog entry a few weeks ago, I have decided to join my local State Emergency Service group. But before I can become a fully-fledged member I have to do a fair bit of training, so for the weekend of the 17th/18th/19th June I went to the "Stage One Recruitment Training" at the Kedron Emergency Services complex.

Now while some of you may have visions of me ploughing through swollen creeks in a vain attempt to practice my "rescue" techniques, let me assure you that it was not at all like this!! Most of the weekend was spent in a lecture-type environment with some practical demonstrations outside.

We covered a vast array of material, including:

• observation
• food and water survival skills
• improvised shelters
• general rescue
• ropes, knots, chains and slings
• casualty handling
• generators and lighting
• ladders, roofs and storm damage
• map reading and topography
• radio communications and operations

It was a very long and tiring weekend - late Friday night, all day Saturday until after 10pm, then all day Sunday. But I had a ball - the people were fun, interesting and entertaining. I'm really looking forward to the rest of my training.