Cross-agency emergency service training has paid off as another successful Warburton Bike Park rescue took place.
Just weeks after training sessions took place, the rescue saw the Upper Yarra SES working with Ambulance Victoria (AV) and the CFA on 1 October.
Upper Yarra SES member Garion Hall said the operation went smoothly and demonstrated their ability to respond to rescues collaboratively.
“We were pretty nervous initially with these mountain bike rescues that they’d be very difficult for us to respond to.
“But we’ve done a lot of training and preparation work… and it’s really working well,” Mr Hall said.
After having some initial challenges locating the patient, emergency crews were given directions from riders passing by and they were able to locate and rescue the patient.
“Essentially, the person got out quickly and safely, and no one was further injured. So it’s a big measure of success,” Mr Hall said.
An AV spokesperson said paramedics treated one male patient in his teens on 1 October at 4.35pm.
“Advanced Life Support (ALS) Paramedics and Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Paramedics, assessed and treated one person at the scene.”
“One male patient in his teens was transported by road ambulance to Maroondah Hospital, with lower body injuries in a stable condition.”
It’s the second mountain bike rescue for the SES unit since the park opened.
While these rescues can still be challenging, Mr Hall said it was much different due to the tracks being professionally built.
“I think we were basing our expectations on the existing unauthorised trails, thinking the 30 additional kilometres of tracks would be more of the same,” he said.
“What we didn’t take into account, that we now realise, is that these tracks are professionally built, professionally maintained, and that makes a huge difference.”
“They’re designed by experts to be safe, and not safe in a boring way, but safe in an absolutely thrilling way – the riders love these tracks.”
Fears of a surge in mountain bike related rescues were a worry for many in the lead up to the Warburton Bike Park’s opening.
But, Mr Hall said there’d been fewer callouts than expected.
One challenge for the Upper Yarra SES was mountain bike rescues often occurred during the day, when most volunteers were unavailable at their day jobs.
Mr Hall encouraged those interested to join the Upper Yarra SES to help ensure the unit has enough members.
Those who are interested can enquire at the link: ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer
Local emergency services have been preparing for the rise in mountain bike rescues with a range of training exercises and collaborations in recent months.
A shared training session between the Upper Yarra SES and the District 13 Rope Rescue Team (which consists of the Wandin and Monbulk CFAs) in August highlighted the importance of high-angle rope techniques during MTB rescues.
Ms Brunton said the newly opened Warburton Bike Park has a lot of steep and hilly terrain where a rider may require a high-angle rescue and therefore it was essential Upper Yarra SES members have the knowledge on when these rescues will need to be deployed.
“Because of the bike tracks, there’s a lot of drop-off points that we may have to respond to with [high-angle rescues], so that’s why we want to do that familiarisation training.”
Wandin CFA and Monbulk CFA specialise in these high-angle rescues which make them crucial in MTB rescues.
Additionally, Exercise Trailblazer saw 70 emergency service personnel from the SES, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and Yarra Ranges Council collaborate in May to improve communications during mountain bike rescues.
However, Mr Hall also stressed it was important for the mountain bike riders themselves to be prepared too.
He said it was crucial for riders to be prepared before they ride by downloading the app, what3words, which helps users give accurate location data to emergency services.
He noted it was important for parents to take an interest in what their children were doing when it comes to mountain biking to instill good safety habits early on.
“I would encourage parents to discuss what the risks are with mountain bike riding with their kids.”
