Brecon Mountain Rescue Team Basic Training

Having passed the pre-assessment, candidates will become trainees, and will complete a log book based basic training scheme. Most trainees take six months or so to complete the log books though it depends upon attendance. Throughout the basic training progress is recorded formally and any practical assessments are noted. Trainees are not full members of the team and are not used for call-out duties.

When Graham Bailey the training co-ordinator is satisfied that the candidate meets the standard for entry into the team he will propose the candidates name for a final assessment. This takes the form of a practical and theory test to examine the candidates rescue skills knowledge.

If the candidate passes the final assessment he or she will join the team as a probationary member for a period of settling in. At this stage the candidate will become operational, and will be issued with a team pager and issued team kit (waterproofs, warm and summer jackets, tabard and trousers).

Basic training is a mixture of theory and practical, with the fundamentals being taught at the team's base in Brecon. Training takes place each Wednesday evening, with practical sessions being held near Storey Arms, 10 minutes drive from the base.

On the first Sunday of every month the trainees join the team for a day exercise where the task will be to train in certain procedures and use specific equipment or to simulate a real call-out.