Rescue heroes on TV (25/10/08)

Two episodes of the series will capture real-life emergencies during mountain bike events, which are held at the outdoor sports resort.   The Channel Five programme will show incidents such as a competitor being evacuated off the mountain on a gondola.  Medical cover for the bike events is provided by Paul Roe who works as a ski patroller in the winter but also has a private, Lochaber-based medical emergency cover company called Rescue Medics.  Paul said: "We were honoured to be chosen to feature in Highland Emergency alongside the major rescue and medical organisations, whom we often have the privilege of working with."   In the last year, Paul's company has treated over 500 casualties, ranging from relatively minor injuries such as broken wrists and collarbones to potentially life-threatening conditions.  He said: "We pride ourselves on a very rapid response time to be able to stabilise, transport and pass on the injured person as efficiently as possible to the ambulance service and the hospital.  "I, and many of the people who work for me, are first aid trainers for the British Association of Ski Patrollers and specialise in teaching first aid to outdoors sports instructors including ski instructors, mountain guides, mountain bike leaders and mountain rescue personnel."  Mike Jardine, of Rare Management, which organises mountain bike events at Nevis Range and Leanachan Forest where the Mountain Bike World Cup has been held since 2002, said the competitions could not take place without emergency medical cover.  He said: "You've got mountain bike riders from all over the world competing on the technical and challenging world-renowned downhill course, pushing themselves to their limits.  "It's incredibly important that Fort William is able to provide this first class emergency and rescue cover, and Nevis Range is a particularly unique venue as the gondola can be used to quickly and safely evacuate riders from the downhill course."  The first episode featuring Nevis Range is scheduled to be broadcast on Channel Five on September 9.

PHOTO Mark Fair, Jeff Starkey and Paul Roe practice the medical skills they demonstrate on the Channel Five programme. The Write Image, 01397 703323