ABERYSTWYTH RNLI lifeboat crew have been honing their flood rescue skills alongside volunteers from across the UK in preparation for the winter.

Gemma Gill and Bryn Harrison, who are part of the RNLI Wales Flood Rescue Team, met in St Asaph, Denbighshire, last weekend to train with the Cumbria Community Flood Team.

Gemma and Bryn were joined by volunteers from Rhyl, Conwy, St Bees, Silloth and Workington as they practiced vital flooding rescue and safety techniques.

Over the two-day training exercise they practised wading in flowing water, throw bag techniques, searching techniques as well as vital casualty care training.

Both Gemma and Bryn have been members of the RNLI Flood Rescue Team, which is made up of members of staff and volunteer lifeboat crews from across the coast who train in specialist flooding techniques, for years and have a number of flooding deployments under their belts.

The Flood Rescue Team have deployed to Cumbria several times over the years, including in December 2015, when Gemma joined a massive rescue effort when thousands of people were forced out of their homes before Christmas.

Speaking of the training, Gemma said: “It was great to welcome the Cumbria Community Flood Team to our training exercise over the weekend.

“We’ve all joined the RNLI because we want to help our community; so by learning basic flood rescue skills the Cumbria Community Flood Team will be a big help to their community if flooding hits this winter.”

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