I am posting in a PERSONAL capacity, before anyone decides to copy my post and E:mail it elsewhere.
I am posting to give, what i consider to be BEST PRACTICE , as a OFFICER of the MCA who call's out these volunteers for a wide range of role to perform.
The volunteers do risk assess the situations they and the injured or distressed person find themselves in, and to ensure that whatever action they take does not put anyone in further danger. The MCA are proud of the Coastguard Rescue Service’s safety record and will seek to maintain the safety of volunteers, and minimise risk in difficult situations.
Don't think they would descend a 300 ft cliff with a 100 ft rope and no safety line ,,,, do you ?
Also for a standard cliff job , which is like the incident described above , the manning of a 8 man team is included in the RISK ASSESSMENT.
Each time I call out a Coast Rescue Officer, and i think that the job maybe a sticky situ to be or get into, i WILL advise them by VOICE ,,,,,, DO NOT PUT YOURSELF or OTHERS IN A DANGEROUS POSITION, this is purely done as a record of my doing so on the op's room recording equipment ( which lasts for years for playbacks
).
Personally , I think that IF the MCA had of investigated this incident , then it would have done a 100% TOP JOB , and any other critisisms are 3rd party from not getting the result that was in their favor.
I think we will have to wait and see the outcome on this one.
Stories crop up every week of people being hampered by H&S issues while trying to do their job.
Decisions are made on the spot that with hind sight were maybe not the right ones.
Don't get me wrong I'm not saying he did wrong, what he did do was step outside of laid down guide lines that are put in place to protect you in the normal line of your work.
The one thing that he will always have is the eternal thanks of the girl and her parents.
Personally he should be given a medal, Instead of possible therapy!
.