Very strong wind and rain deterred all but the most 'keen' teams getting out on the hills of the West Highlands yesterday.

Working with a large group of doctors completing the diploma in Mountian Medicine we thought laterally to come up with a venue less exposed to the wild weather. Damien, leader of the Oban Mountain Rescue Team came up with the idea of using the almost roadside debris remaining from the recent West Highland Raliway line avalanche near Tyndrum.

This provided a worthwhile venue to run two avalanche rescue scenarios including situations with a single buried casualty with no transceiver and a multiple burial with casualties wearing transceivers.

Interestingly in the former situation Damian described one of the most rapid mountain rescue responses possible was for a chopper to pick up an avalanche search and rescue dog (and handler) on route to the incident site.

In nearly all avalanche accidents the casualties best chance of survival lies in the swift and organised response of those present on the scene at the time. It is well worth making sure you understand the principles involved in carrying out a fast and efficient search of avalanche debris.