Alpine rescue group gathers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 393, 2 July 1991, Page 4

Alpine rescue group gathers

The Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation (RARO) held their first combined exercise last week, working through alpine rescue techniques and procedures. The organisation was formed following the tragedy last year when six defence personnel died on Mt Ruapehu. The aim is to better co-ordi-nate rescue operations on the mountains. Last Tuesday about 20 people from Ruapehu Alpine Lifts ski patrol and lift crew, Outdoor Pursuits Centre, Turoa

Ski Resort, Waiouru Army Training Group adventurous training unit, police and Department of Conservation personnel, gathered at the Whakapapa Visitor Centre to start the threeday training programme. While all have alpine experience the training was to bring all up to a similar standard in rescue techniques. Tuesday started with morning presentations on equipment, communications and personnel available and then callout and control proce-

dures. Following this was a session on avalanche rescue theory and equipment, snow anchors, stretcher lowering and helicopter use. Later in the day, in realistically miserable conditions with cold rain and wind at the Chateau airstrip, the RARO team worked with local pilot Keith MacKenzie and his Hughs 500 helicopter on patient evacuation techniques, including strop flying. The course was to include practicing work

with an Airforce Iriquois machine but firstly the machine was called away to a real rescue in bush and secondly weather meant this part of the course was missed. The group spent the second and third day on

practical training on the snow, working on alpine rescue techniques. While unable to be flown to the summit as planned they dug in for an overnight stay at the top of the Whakapapa skifield.