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Going to extremes
By Rebecca Codey
Volume 49, No. 17, September 20, 2007 |
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COLD COMFORT: Students on the two-day ECW survival course at Mount Hotham are recovered by an Air Force SAR helicopter.
Photo courtesy of CSTS |
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COLD COMFORT: Aircraft life support fitter SGT Dwayne Grayson (then CPL), tries to keep warm in front of his snow hut.
Photo courtesy of CSTS |
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They may be exhausted, cold, wet and, at times, miserable, but the men and women on extreme cold weather (ECW) survival training are giving themselves a fighting chance.
Tri-Service members are pushed beyond their perceived limits as they discover first-hand how perilous an extreme cold weather environment can be; and learn the skills that may just save their lives in the future.
The two-day ECW survival course, run by the Combat Survival Training School (CSTS) at RAAF Base Townsville, is aimed primarily at ADF aircrew likely to be involved in operations or exercises in cold weather environments.
After a theory refresher on the priorities of survival in general and how that relates to survival in an ECW environment, planning considerations and implications of combat survival are covered before the students put their knowledge to the test in the practical field elements.
CSTS Chief Instructor FLTLT Pete Travers said students were given practical exposure to apply the priorities of survival – protection, location, water and food – in the ECW environment.
“The simulated scenario is that students are to survive with what they would have on them when they fly,” he explained. “We give them a sleeping bag, but otherwise, if you don’t fly with it, you don’t have it to use.”
“Typically, they will construct an improvised shelter, start and maintain a survival fire and procure food and water. The final phase of the course is a practical evasion activity. While relatively short, the exercise is designed to educate the students as to the distinct difficulties with movement and evasion in a combat ECW environment.”
The course also served as refresher combat survival (COMSURV) training. “The general principles are the same, with the difference being the environmental considerations,” FLTLT Travers said. “For this reason, the course is only open to personnel who have completed the standard COMSURV course.”
ECW training has been provided by CSTS on an as-required basis for a number of years. Training in 2007 was conducted in August in the Mount Hotham area, and there are plans to run a number of consecutive ECW courses each year. CSTS also provides continuation and pre-deployment training on request.
“We recognise that this training is topical and of vital importance to aircrew conducting operations in ECW environments throughout the world,” FLTLT Travers said.
It may be short, but the ECW survival course is challenging. “It is a difficult environment to survive in and one that not many experience in this manner. Obviously, it is quite different from sitting in a ski chalet with a drink in hand.
“Like all survival training, it is an opportunity for the students to push themselves beyond their perceived limits. They not only learn valuable skills… they often learn a lot about themselves. Students generally leave with fond memories,” he said.
CSTS has a dedicated staff of 11, comprising seven instructors, three support staff and the CO, SQNLDR Colin Evers. “While a small unit, our staff members are incredibly motivated volunteers,” FLTLT Travers said.
Up to 280 men and women from the ADF are trained each year through the school’s seven-course annual program. Training is also provided to personnel from foreign services.
CSTS graduates are encouraged to revisit CSTS as observers on subsequent courses to refresh their knowledge and gain further skills, as well as assist with the course.
For more information contact the FLTLT Pete Travers on (07) 4752 1501 or email peter.travers@defence.gov.au |
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