This morning we had a visit from Julian from Maryport Inshore Rescue who spoke to us about the important role they have and how they keep us safe. They also spoke to us about we can prevent ourselves from getting in to danger.

He showed us photographs of the lifeboats that are stationed at Maryport and Silloth. He then spoke to us about all the kit then need to wear to keep them safe and warm during a rescue.

Sea Rescue

First they showed us there insulating base layer to keep them warm because it’s cold in the water. The suit was similar to the suits our current KS2 classes wore when ghyll scrambling last year. 

Mrs Jackson tried on the suit with steel toe caps which would be their next layer. 

The final layer would be their life jacket to keep them afloat. Their life jacket also enables them to carry lots of safety equipment such as a flare to warn people someone in trouble and a PLB which shows their exact location if they are ever in trouble. A PLB is especially important when they are preforming rescue missions at night as if they get in to trouble the darkness would make it especially difficult to see.

The lifeboat team also wear helmets. Julian explained that the reason their helmets are yellow is because the froth on a rough sea is white so the yellow helmet provides a contrast and makes it easier for them to be seen. Some helmets have built in radios so they can communicate with other members of the rescue team.

Swift Water Kit

The kit used for river or flood searches is slightly different due to the speed of the water. These kits are designed to provide an even quicker response.

He spoke about how when they arrive on a rescue mission there will be the leader, the team and the casualty. He said that the leader is the most important person, then the team and then the casualty. This is due to the fact that if the leader or team get in to trouble then there won’t be anyone left to rescue the original causality.

The biggest difference with the suits is that the boots are detachable on the swift water suit just in case their feet get trapped by debris.

Again they carry lots of kit in their life jacket such as a tow rope, a knife to cut any ties, and a radio for communication with the rest of the team. The life jacket also has a ‘cow tail’. They use the cow tail to secure themselves to a rope held by the team on land. This is to keep the team members safe if they have to enter the water. 

Rescue

Julian demonstrated lots of different ways that the team would save a causality. He told us that they avoid entering the water whenever possible as entering the water endangers themselves.