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New Loughborough College students rise to Public Services challenge

Posted: 13th October 2017 - 12:10pm
New Loughborough College students rise to Public Services challenge

Drones, smoke grenades, night-time pursuit and an ice cold river crossing were all part of an exciting introduction to Loughborough College for new students.

Pitted against the elements and with little chance to sleep, 120 students rose to a challenge-packed 48 hours on the Public Services operation.

Night vision skills were tested to the limit with a patrol in complete darkness under constant threat of ambush.

“The only lights were thunder flashes as students attempted to evade attack in the depths of Walesby Forest in Nottinghamshire.

“A helicopter down simulation took place in daylight but was no less testing with students using drones to locate casualties before administering first aid and stretchering casualties back.

“There was also raft building and a chest-deep crossing of an extremely cold river,” said Tim Turner, Public Services lead at Loughborough College.

“Students were not provided with tents – only tarpaulins to create a shelter, they had basic rations which they were responsible for cooking themselves, sleep was scarce and it was cold and raining.

“But we kept reminding the group that they only had this for two days and asked them to imagine what it must be like for refugees for whom these kinds of conditions might be their only experience.

“To get through this when you only started the course a week earlier is a challenge, to say the least. It’s about mental and physical resilience, working as a team – but they all learnt so much and you actually see them grow in stature as a result. They were all very proud when they’d completed it – and we were very proud of them.”

Pictured: Loughborough College’s Bethany Portsmouth in at the deep end for a river crossing on the 48 hour Public Services operation for new students