A-PAD SL SAR Team Participates in the ‘2024 Joint Indo-Pacific Region Swift Water and Rope Rescue Training Program’ in Taiwan
A-PAD Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue (SAR) team is currently engaged in an intensive 14-day training program in Taiwan. Co-hosted by the National Fire Agency of the Ministry of the Interior of Taiwan and the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD), the “2024 Joint Indo-Pacific Region Swift Water and Rope Rescue Training Program” runs from October 27 to November 8.
The objective of the initiative is to enhance the team’s skills in swift water and rope rescue techniques, exchange knowledge with international counterparts, and strengthen regional cooperation in disaster response. This collaborative effort brings together 14 participants from Sri Lanka, alongside 16 representatives from Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan. Led by a team of internationally certified trainers, the program is pivotal in bolstering Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities and ultimately safeguarding lives during emergencies.
An Unparalleled Swift Water SAR Training
The training kicked off with rigorous swift water training exercises in Xiuguluan River in Hualien County. Known for its swift and unpredictable currents, the river serves as an ideal location for rescuers to practice essential skills. The training featured exhilarating river crossing drills, where team members tackled various challenges, such as drifting, flat jumps, and rafting, while honing their swimming techniques in eddy currents and learning how to navigate potential capsizing scenarios.
The team also concentrated on whirlpool rescue operations, mastering critical survival techniques and executing coordinated rescue scenarios within a specialized simulation facility. These exercises are designed to strengthen the team’s capacity for handling complex water rescue emergencies.
Commitment to Enhanced Preparedness
The program has delivered an elite experience for our SAR members thus far and in the following week, the focus on rope rescue skills and techniques that are vital for various emergencies, strengthening participants’ rescue capabilities a step further.
The training is generously funded by the National Fire Agency of Taiwan, A-PAD International, and the Connecting Business Initiative, underscoring a strong commitment to enhancing disaster preparedness across the Indo-Pacific region. Every day of rigorous practice and teamwork brings the A-PAD Sri Lanka SAR team closer to their goal of becoming more proficient and effective in emergency response operations.
