It was pretty windy up there saturday, we came down in the dark ( had to try out the new petzl ultra) and got back to Pen y Pass as MR were meeting up to go up, we passed one group of 5 going up pyg track as we were coming down i think it was them that got stuck, still heading up at 3.30ish no crampons or axes, crazy Really good conditions to play with crampons and axes on the ice, lots of fun  But a very busy few weeks for Mountain Resuce, tops guys!
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 nasty. well done the mrt people.
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 We went up via Crib Goch on Friday. Conditions were great, although we noticed that the zig zags at the top of the Pig track looked nasty. It was blowing a hoolie Saturday night even down at valley level. Wouldn't have relished being up there then 
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Just thought I would register a personal thought for the MRT guys who were injured - report mentions broken ribs and damaged ligaments. One thing to be injured as part of your job....with all the support and compo. that can bring....another to be injured as a volunteer out rescuing people in need (whether they were properly equipped or not).
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 nasty. well done the mrt people. Couldn't have put it better.
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 Yes, echo the congratulations for a good job done by the MRT people involved. I don't think it makes a lot of difference whether they are paid or unpaid these days, (hate to use the term professional/amateur in this context) they are "working" for the Police in such situations and should be covered by insurance.
I have general insurance when on Cave rescue but have "topped it up" with my own cover too! Richard, Wayne and others on this forum on MRT, you ARE full covered these days aren't you?
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Agreed about the professional/amateur tags.....really doesnt apply (especially to these guys). I'd be interested to know how much "cover" there is for them.....just really thinking of the phone call into work on Monday morning (sorry boss....wont be in as I have a smashed xyz as a result of a call out....no, dont know how long I'll be off for...) or, even worse, if the MRT member is self employed......could mean the end of a business....or the MRT member struggling through... Anyway.....regardless....get well soon all 8!
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Yes you do have to have understanding employers, but it would make little difference to most if someone goes sick with a broken leg from MRT work or playing for a football team on a weekend, at least with the former, it would be in the context of obtaining such for a worthy cause! Agree too that it MUST be a real worry for self employed, and to be honest, I would question the commitment of someone worried about that aspect regardless of how competent they are!
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Just idle curiosity, but for a regular hillgoer who wants to insure himself against accidents on the hill, would the premium be higher or lower for a MRT member. How would the insurers balance the skills demonstrated by acceptance for a team against the rescues in bad conditions. And how should they balance them
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Get your point about a distinction between a hobby (football) and being in the MRT....but I guess some employers may take the view that accident due to hobby is one thing, but accident due to (arguably) placing onself in obvious risk is another....like MRT, Lifeboats or possibly retained fire service....? Dunno myself - though my uncle was on a lifeboat as was my brother and both were self employed. Dont think I'd question the "committment" of a self employed member of the MRT (in this case) if they were worried about what if..... what I would question is if they were happy with the balance. The committment is shown by turning up for all the training and backup work. If the balance is wrong, then that, surely, is a different issue, and maybe a different role i.e. fundraising should be looked at? Very very difficult, and one for each individual methinks - and as I am not, nor have been a member of a voluntary emergency service, I'm going to shut up! Frum....you ask a good question.
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Richard, Wayne and others on this forum on MRT, you ARE full covered these days aren't you?
I know that i am covered by Insurance for injury by our 'sponsor' Police Service whilst on training and call outs both as a Search Dog Handler and on 'crag' jobs whilst operating inside and outside our region of operations (which is larger than you think) Our regional body also has a benevolent fund to support members who are injured and cannot work. There is also an insurance provision against malpractice suits whilst carrying out medical procedures on a casualty. provided you hold and maintain your relevant qualifications
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Just idle curiosity, but for a regular hillgoer who wants to insure himself against accidents on the hill, would the premium be higher or lower for a MRT member. Not sure about hill/mountain Insurance Frum but my Car insurance premium went up by £100 per annum when i declared I was a member of a MRT. Suffice to say I am no longer with the 'quote you happy' people my current insurer makes NO distinction about this However as a dog handler its nigh on impossible to get insurance for our dogs - there is a deal being brokered at the moment through a specialist insurer but until then if a dog gets injured we are responsible for the vet bills
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 Wayne has pretty muched covered it i think, we have the same over here with North Wales Police AFAIK. NWP and Brunstrom are very supportive of MR/SARDA in general. One thing that came up recently was vaccinations for Hep B etc. There was some confusion over how we are covered with regards to that, so far as the insurance might not be valid if we are not vaccinated etc. Most of our guys have managed to get vaccinated for free from their GP, but they are not obliged to give them for free. Some members have been charged £150 for jabs... As for self-employment, there are a good deal ofself-employed MR members. We are generally more flexible in when we can work so are often available for callouts in the middle of the day midweek. The dedication is no lower, even though we do find it hard trying to catch up with the work afterwards!
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So,the answer appears to be: you have some insurance....but not enough as otherwise you wouldnt need the benevolent fund....?
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 Interesting thread, on the subject of dog insurance have you tried NFU Mutual? They offer animal insurace, as well as pet and I know several people with working dogs that are insured by them. If they dont offer a policy maybe worth enquiring about sponsorship via insurance. They deal through local offices, so could be worth arrangining a meeting rather than phoning. just an idea.
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Interesting thread, on the subject of dog insurance have you tried NFU Mutual? They offer animal insurace, as well as pet and I know several people with working dogs that are insured by them. If they dont offer a policy maybe worth enquiring about sponsorship via insurance. They deal through local offices, so could be worth arrangining a meeting rather than phoning. just an idea.
Thanks for that Jon all ideas are good Ideas it might be a good interim insurance choice for me until the organisations deal is rubber stamped On the self employment front. i am self employed and if I hadnt been i wouldnt have been able to have the flexibility or commitment to train to be a Dog Handler! I was injured last in 2007 whilst training and was offered money from the benevolent fund and the chance to claim against the insurance however i only sprained an ankle and it really didnt affect work so i declined the offer
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So,the answer appears to be: you have some insurance....but not enough as otherwise you wouldnt need the benevolent fund....?
No. We have the benevolent fund as access to quick cash whilst waiting for insurance pay outs (amongst other things) its not meant to 'top up' the insurance
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NWP and Brunstrom are very supportive of MR/SARDA in general.
We get this support from doing those Lowland Search jobs that everyone seems to sneer at
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Those jobs where we get a nice warm police nick to base ourselves in and get fed from police funds? Still get as cold, wet and muddy as we do on the hills though!
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Those jobs where we get a nice warm police nick to base ourselves in and get fed from police funds? Still get as cold, wet and muddy as we do on the hills though!
To be honest ive not done many of these jobs in the 8 years in MR. Spent a hell of a lot of time on Bleaklow and Kinder in the dark though
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