Category: National Challenges

We are proud to announce the date and venue for Festival of Rescue 2024!

This year’s national challenge will take place from 26^th to 28^th September 2024 in the historic Dockyard Portsmouth.

Check back soon for more information!

The web version of the handbook is now live, and can be accessed either from our website, going to the competitor’s area, or alternatively from the link below.

For access, a username and password are required please contact Ian Greenman for further information.

All teams attending the national challenge are to bring their own oxygen cylinders. These can be empty, as the application of O2 to the casualty will be verbalised with the application of dummy non re breather mask.

UKRO Briefing Note

Purpose: Inform Extrication Teams of the forthcoming changes at the upcoming National Extrication Challenge in West Midlands Sept 2022 

Date: 15th August 2022 

Author: Paul HAMER, UKRO Deputy Extrication Lead 

Contact Details: phamer@ukro.org / 07753840675 

Briefing:

Recent developments in the field of trauma management led by Prof Tim Nutbeam, NFCC, and supported by the UKRO and NFCC have led to significant changes to guidance in spinal management. Where a patient is able to do so and is aware of their actions, self or assisted extrication is the preferred option. This video about the Exit Project provides details about the research and partners that have endorsed the research.  

With a commitment to advance professional rescue, the UKRO assessors and logistic team have considered the implications to the extrication challenge. Continuing the development from the changes introduced at last year’s event, new scenarios have been developed to reflect new guidance.  

Within the scenarios developed for the 2022 National extrication challenge, a weighting system has had to be employed to ensure a fair and balanced scenario. Considerations for Extrications teams when handling the scenarios will include 

Vehicle Relocations: may be considered whilst the casualty is in a stable position within the vehicle and after a full assessment of the casualty injuries to ensure the relocation is a viable consideration 

Multiple Casualties: in some scenarios more than one casualty will be employed as part of the scenario, some may after assessment be able to manage their own C spine and self-extricate 

Internal Casualties: may be suffering from life threating injuries other than C spine and the extrication pathway will need to be made as such to affect the appropriate extrication, even if the casualty can manage their own C spine. 

Vehicle Stability: Is still a major part of the management of the scene and should not be overlooked in preference of a speedy extrication 

Scene & Vehicle Hazard Management: with the increase of Alternative Fuel vehicles on the UK roads, crews should look to ensure the appropriate management techniques are undertaken to render these vehicles safe before and during extrication. 

During the event teams will be given several workshops by the UKRO education team, where questions can be asked, The UKRO Assessing team have all attended these workshops and are aware of the knowledge being imparted to the teams. 

If teams have any further questions these can be directed through the UKRO Extrication team or through the FAQ & Forums on the UKRO Academy site, there will also be opportunity to pose questions to the UKRO Assessing team at the Captains Briefings on Thursday evening, although time may be limited at the event. 

Paul Hamer

UKRO Extrication Deputy Lead / Education