Page 56 - The Gazette Autumn 2024

56 The Gazette QARANC Association
EXERCISE TIGER
The thrill of hitting top speeds on a ski slope
Exercise Tiger White Blast was a fantastic opportunity for service personnel to embark on an adventurous training (AT) expedition in Alpendorf, Austria.
The alpine ski expedition was a tri-service AT course consisting of 17 members of Joint Hospital Group South JHG(S), experience level ranging between beginners and intermediate skiers completing Ski Foundation level 1 and 2.
These qualifications were part of the Joint Service Adventurous Training Scheme which develops individuals’ foundations for safe skiing. With this established, it enables future development of instructor qualifications.
Supporting troops mental and physical health is important to avoid burnout and keep in line with service needs. A grant from the QARANC Association provided us with clothing, safety equipment, qualified staff and ski passes so that we could have this experience safely and with staff who travelled from afar to support us.
Throughout the six days in Austria, personnel had the opportunity to enjoy the sunny slopes of St Johann Im Pongau, taking a well needed break from daily hospital duties. Skiing provided a multitude of benefits for us, ranging from a whole body work out to having endorphins released from the thrill of skiing hitting top speeds of 70 km/h. Utilising AT opportunities is one of the many advantages that can assist with job satisfaction and overall performance day to day.
We had an amazing time and have learnt valuable skills along with an opportunity to develop teamwork and unit coherence. Overall, this was a fantastic opportunity and JHG(S) would like to make a personal thank you to the QARANC Association for the grant they gave to support association members on this exercise, without their support it would not have been possible.
Cpl Morgan Dursley, Nurse (Adult), JHG South