Borders Water Rescue Team

Come and visit us at the Border Union Show tomorrow. Learn all about the team and what we do, maybe even get lucky and win something from our tombola.

Although #drowningpreventionweek has now past, may we please remind everyone..... - whilst our rivers may look inviting, they contain many hidden dangers (under currents, extremely cold layers of water, contamination, snag hazards etc.). Over 700 people a year drown in the UK.... please don't be a statistic, or encourage someone else to do something stupid !!! #dontdrinkanddrown #heatwave

We are delighted to have been supporting the #BrawLad2018 and the #BrawLass2018 during this week's #BrawLadsGathering in #Galashiels. Perfect conditions for a spot of water antics on horseback! We are also very pleased to announce that we have been selected as one of the three #Tesco Bags of Help charities at the #Galashiels store for July and August - now you know which pot to put your token in!

Kelso Farmers Market today - Very many thanks to those that manned the stall and to those that came along to support us and find out more about what the team does. #kelsofarmersmarket

Today we have been supporting the Selkirk CR 2018 with water safety cover for the Standard Bearer and his mounted followers (all 282 of them) #SafeOotSafein - we wish the two riders who had an early bath a speedy re-warming! It marks the start of a very busy few weeks of water safety cover for the Team, with #ToughMudderScotalnd this weekend, and #TotalWarrior, #BrawLads2018 week in Galashiels and #IronMan Edinburgh all coming up.

** WE ARE RECRUITING ** As we near the end of national Volunteers Week, it seems an appropriate time to kick off our recruitment program. The Borders Water Rescue Team is looking to add to its membership, so if you think being a part of a voluntary organisation involved with water rescue, event safety and water safety education sounds interesting, please get in touch. All training is provided free of charge – all we ask of you is time commitment and a willingness to be part of a great and unique team. contact@bwrt.org.uk

A BIG thank you to Charity Begins at Home (Kelso) who recently donated £1k to the team. As part of our commitment to service, we undergo Continuous Professional Development to a certified standard (#Rescue3), and this is towards those costs. CBAH raise money through their charity shop in the town and then donate the proceeds to other charities in the area. This year they raised £60k and have divided it between 30-40 local charities. If you are in Kelso during shopping hours then pop in - like us, the ladies in the shop are all volunteers so it would be great for them to hear from BWRT members and supporters of our appreciation of their support. They also gave us £2.5k in 2016 towards the vehicle and have provided donations in previous years.

Part of this weekend's training involved a few team members undergoing their Rescue3 Swiftwater Rescue Technician skills based assessment. Recent thunder storms turned the river this #Latte colour!

This week two familiarisation visits were made to the St Abbs Independent Lifeboat by BWRT members. Great to see the Thomas #Tunnock in action and the chance for crew members to see our new vehicle. Thanks for hosting us.

A beautiful evening for some #jointworking - thank you to St Abbs Independant Lifeboat for hosting the first wave!

Today's training has been all about successful casualty evacuation from the river, using multiple assets. With difficult terrain and water involved, it takes quite a few people to achieve this.

We have been out practicing our winter skills today in the River Teviot, near the Roxburgh viaduct. Keeping warm and functional was definitely a challenge.............!

Great feature on BBC Countryfile tonight with the St Abbs Lifeboat. Looking forward to our joint training with them in May 2018. #stabbslifeboat

Now it's our turn !!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ne…/uk-scotland-so uth-scotland-43289446#

With a slight improvement in the weather and the wish to exorcise any cabin fever, many people are venturing outside again. If you are intending to walk along a river bank, or any water, please keep yourselves and any dogs away from the snowy edge. This clip was taken in Kelso, but the same will be happening elsewhere - it looks as though you could walk across the river! ………………………..YOU CAN'T.......... Any dog that fell through the snow would likely not get back out again, and we do not want any owner to become a statistic either! Please share to raise awareness and be a #lifesaver

Here is the news item as broadcast on ITV Border tonight. Thank you to Jennifer Cordingley for her inspired filming! Please like and share to spread the word - you never know, it might save a life! #lifesavers

The mountain rescue guys would say "more than just mountains"... we say more than just people #morethanjustpeople !

Our new vehicle is more than just a mini bus ..... its a fully registered ambulance. Starting life as a 4x4 van, it has been designed and converted as follows: Behind the front three seats, there is the incident control room with two seats, the stretcher and an attendants medic seat. There is also storage for emergency equipment. In through the rear doors is a waterproof wet changing area which doubles as a drying room. The stretcher loading hatch is also accessible from the rear doors. Last but by no means least, there is the hot water boiler for that all important cuppa!!