Search and Rescue Swift water Training programme concludes in a successful note
The Search and Rescue Swift Water Training Programme coordinated by the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) which was commenced at the Rapid Action Boat Squadron’s Headquarters (RABS HQ) established at Gangewadiya in Eluvankulama, Puttalam on 16th January 2019, spanned for 8 consecutive days and concluded successfully, today (23 th January). The Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva graced the occasion as the chief guest and also the Tri Forces and civil personnel who underwent the training, were awarded with certificates at the ceremony.
This training programme which consisted of two categories as military and civil, was conducted by the six trainers provided by the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management in Japan in coordination with the trainers of Sri Lanka navy. Naval personnel attached to the Rapid Response Rescue and Relief unit, Army, Air Force and Police personnel, persons from civil organizations and also civil people participated in the training programme.
During the past few days of training, practical as well as theoretical knowledge on areas such as river crossing, water flow technique and safety precaution, swift water rubber boat operation, swift water crossing, swift water rescue, single crossing, multi – person crossing, victim protection with safety crossing, rope skill application and setting, night swimming in swift water and camp fire, safe means of entering into water, offensive and defensive swimming techniques, capsize drill for Emergency Response Boat (ERB) and throwing techniques of the lifesaving equipment were imparted on trainees. The trainees took part in the training exercise with great enthusiasm as it turned out to be a whole new experience to them.
Especially, for the training session, a lifesaving and emergency response rescuer kit which is of international standard was used and it gave a novelty experience for the participants. This suit included a type 3 Personal Floating Device (PFD), a safety helmet, a wet suit, wet shoes and a wide range of modern equipment. Additional Secretary (Defence) at Ministry of Defence Mr. Aunuradha Wijekoon, Director General Operations Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle, Commander North Western Naval Area Rear Admiral Sujjeewa Perera, Senior officers of Naval Headquarters and North Western Naval Command, Defence Attache to the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka Captain Atzuhiro Morero, Director-Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management in Sri Lanka Mr. Irzan Hassim, Official from Disaster Management Centre, Commanding Officer RABS HQ Commander Prasanna Hettiarachchi, RABS officers and large number of sailors were also present on this occasion.
