Climbing with winter mountaineering equipment is only basic. 17 soldiers from various military units received training for candidates for military mountain training instructors. Tasks were rather a summons. They had to find the avalanche buried as shortly as possible, get him out of the snow pit, give the injured first aid and evacuate him from the mountains.
Specialists, paratroopers, mountain infantry, territorials – all soldier who volunteered for the course had to confirm his ski and mountaineering skills in the preliminary exam. A medical certificate was besides required to be given that there were no contraindications to action at altitude. erstwhile everything went well, 17 mountain teacher candidates could start a two-week training in the Krkonoše and Jizera Mountains.
Condition and analytical sense
The course was divided into 2 parts: lectures in mountain medicine and applicable training of rescue activities in the mountains in hard winter conditions. Classes lasted days. The soldiers struggled with changing weather and their own physical limitations. In order to prepare well for mountaineering and rescue activities in the mountains, they had to not only be trained in climbing but besides to carefully analyse the risks and weather forecasts and have a contingency plan. – The soldier operating in the mountains must be aware of the dangers, especially avalanches, possible changes in weather and coming fatigue, or limits to the endurance of his body – he explains Colonel Andrzej Demkowicz, Head of the Department of Action of the Mountain Academy of Land Forces in Wrocław, which trained future instructors. – Of course, it is besides essential to know equipment and procedures, due to the fact that under hard conditions there is no area for errors. To this we request to add good cooperation in the team, namely clear communication and division of tasks. Activities in the mountains require not only physical training, but besides intellectual resilience, due to the fact that they operate under force and in utmost conditions," the officer adds.
The training programme in the Giant Mountains did not supply for a simplification tariff. Soldiers trained, among others, to decision in wrongs utilizing cancers and waitings as well as climbing elements in the advanced mountain area. They learned to get out of the stone rift and under the snow. In addition, utilizing detectors, they searched for people buried in simulated avalanches, trained probery, and techniques for excavating victims. The coursers were besides tasked with planning and performing a march in the mountains in tour skiing, building shelters from snow and evacuation of injured on UT 2000 stretchers to the point from which he could take him helicopter W-3 Falcon.
In the snow and the fog
The course was attended by 17 soldiers from various units: peculiar troops, 6th Airborne Brigade, 21th Podhale firearm Brigade, 21th Light Mountain Battalion of Warlord, 22nd Mountain Infantry Battalion from Kłodzka, 19th Mechanized Battalion from Chełm and 11th Małopolska Territorial Defence Brigade.
Lt. Simon Dycfeld, who serves regular in the 19th Mechanized Battalion, emphasizes that he volunteered for the course, among another things, due to the fact that he is simply a fan of mountain sports. – During my studies at the Academy of Land Forces, I was a associate of the Higher Education Section. The instructor-methodical course was so a natural step for me in developing skills. Now I will be able to pass on my cognition and experience to others – says Lieutenant Dycfeld, who in his spare time outside the mountain climbing practices ski and mountain hiking.
Nevertheless, an officer admits that training was a challenge for him. – Starting with the weather, which has constantly changed, ending with tasks resulting from the future function of instructor. They may seem simple to those who are tamed with advanced mountains,” adds Lieutenant Dycfeld. It gives an example of the possibilities of utilizing ski ski skis. – It was our main means of transport, but at the same time they could service as an improvised stretcher or strengthening of the snow pit, which we had to build as a shelter – Lieutenant says. 1 of the most interesting activities is the authorship, during which the alleged ABC avalanche, i.e. the detector and probe allows to find the individual buried by the avalanche, and the shovel to dig up snow.
Soldiers who have completed the course will be able to take the instructor's exam in the future, which entitles to training soldiers from mountaineering, mountain rescue and winter survival.
