Kinghorn RNLI volunteer’s vital training


Kirstie Wakefield (24), from Kinghorn, recently travelled to the RNLI College in Dorset, to complete the charity’s Crew Emergency Procedures course.
The probationer teacher was inspired to join up as a volunteer crew member for the charity following a recruitment event held by the station.
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Hide AdThe course sees volunteer crew being trained in a variety of crucial subjects such as
how to deal with fires aboard lifeboats, how to ‘abandon ship’ in the event of an
emergency (with a 4m jump into water), team survival swimming, coping in a life-raft in
simulated darkness, how to right a capsized inshore lifeboat, and the importance of
lifejackets.
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Hide AdIt also included sessions on the correct use of flares, fire extinguishers and throw bags.
Talking about the training, Kirstie, who volunteers as a crewmember, said: “The course
was absolutely brilliant and I learned so many skills that I am now confident to put into
practice if I ever needed to.
“The quality of instruction from the trainers was outstanding, as was the content of the course. We covered a variety of emergency procedures and scenarios, and it was extremely valuable spending time with crew members from other stations.’
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Hide AdKirstie’s training took place in the Sea Survival Centre at the RNLI College, where she was joined by other RNLI volunteer crew members from around the UK and Ireland.
The training was funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a charitable foundation that helps to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement and the application of research.