Essential Skills For Effective Rescue Teams In Hazardous Environments

The standards required of a rescue team are extremely high. There is very little margin for error and in most cases the speed and effectiveness of a response is absolutely critical. This is why the people who make up a rescue team are specialist professionals with a diverse range of skills and aptitudes. Although the precise nature of the response can be different according to the working environment – underwater, confined spaces, deep underground or working at height – there are certain skills that are common to all rescue teams, and we have listed these here.

Fitness

Although some scenarios present very different fitness demands – a confined space compared to working underwater, for example – it is important that members of a rescue team have a high level of basic fitness. Physical exertion can be considerable, even in confined spaces where there may be very little oxygen or there could be extreme heat. Stamina is also very important, so that you can perform consistently for long periods in demanding circumstances, because literally someone’s life might depend on it.

Technical expertise

There is a need to use specialist equipment in a rescue team, which could be significantly different depending on whether you are working on a building collapse or a deep trench. Regardless, search and rescue techniques require specialist equipment which a rescue team member should be competent in using. This technical expertise also extends to types of PPE and equipment such as breathing apparatus.

Hazard identification

A rescue team member needs to have the ability to spot danger quickly and be reactive to implement the correct safety measures. This requires a good standard of spatial and situational awareness.

Communication

You might be the lifeline for someone trapped in a dangerous situation, making effective communication essential. You should be able to react to and interpret alerts and alarms, be clear and effective with instructions and communicate effectively with other responders. You need to appreciate the situation people are in, and how this might affect their ability to receive your communications. It may also be the case that you have to prepare to use an alternative form of communication, such as radio or hand signals, in situations where your verbal communications can’t be heard or understood.

First Aid

As a first responder you may regularly be required to administer first aid, including CPR techniques. At Civil Safety, the importance of being the first responder is not taken lightly. We believe in regular refreshers and have upskilled over 90% of the team members to FREC 3 Level (First Response Emergency Care). The upskilling of the Rescue Team members is an ongoing priority to ensure we have the right competence of Operatives on site.

Emotional control

In a high stress situation someone needs to remain calm and keep a clear head. You need to demonstrate you can make effective decisions in traumatic situations, and have the resilience and mental fortitude to show leadership in crucial moments.

Decision-making

Although you are part of a team, and everyone’s role is critically important, someone has to show leadership. Are you the person who is going to be decisive and who has the skills to lead a team? You need to be aware of all team roles and the strengths and weaknesses of your colleagues. Team spirit is therefore important, as is the ability to delegate tasks fairly. Under pressure you need to make key decisions quickly and be able to prioritise tasks.

Emergency planning

You should be very familiar with a basic emergency response plan and be able to implement it quickly and with some stages either not applicable or not possible due to the rescue circumstances. It is important that someone can raise the plan quickly and delegate other parties appropriately, and using the correct equipment and protocols.

Professional rescue teams from Civil Safety

The overall message that underpins all the training that rescue teams will undertake, is that continuous development is essential. Being able to demonstrate compliance with strict standards and then continually reassessing these standards is critical in how effective a rescue team is. At Civil Safety we can support your operations with risk assessments and safe systems of work, as well as supplying the appropriate technical equipment, to ensure that our rescue teams are effective and able to work to the highest standards possible. So if you need a rescue team for any challenging and dangerous environments, contact our team at Civil Safety today.