Rescue the Marshal - Boiling Sand

[alshamsi_m]

Hello Everyone

We had an excellent gathering with high anticipation and the members were ready for action

The event took place in the same spot that we have been in for so many years but I think it is time to find another spot. The weather was hot but that was part of the plan but the vegetation took over the place and made it nearly impossible to get stuck and practice.

We had 6 marshals to attend this event which shows how our marshals are serious when it comes to safety and make sure no one get hurt during the event, so hat off for all of you Lady & Gentlemen

After the event was over, it got a complementary drive to exit which was in the perfect time too.

The season is kicking in and I'm sure that you are going to apply self-recovery in the drives or the new batch of the intermediates are going to practice rescue under marshal's supervision

Tell next time stay safe

Cheers
Shamsi

[Faizan]

The day was both challenging and educational. It was a day filled with adventure, but the intense desert sun made it quite the endurance test. As we gathered for the briefing session, I found the information valuable and insightful. However, the heat was overwhelming, and I couldn't help but wish there had been some shade during the briefing. I couldn’t properly sit on the sand my butt was burning due to hot sand.

After the briefing, we were given the task of getting our car crested, which means getting it stuck on the crest of a dune. Surprisingly, this was harder than expected, as it required the right technique and positioning.

During the task, I spent a lot of time digging alone :( The wind was fierce, constantly throwing hot sand into my face, which added to the physical challenge. After what felt like an endless struggle, the relief of being recovered was immense. It was a tough experience but one that left me with great memories and valuable lessons in off-roading.

We had a nice short drive while getting of the desert but there was too much vegetation.

Over all great learning experience.

Thanks to all marshals and support. Salute for teaching us in the hot sunny day

[Daggerfall]

Hi Almosters,

This event was a fantastic opportunity for our members to learn valuable survival skills in case they find themselves stuck in the desert alone. Conducted in a controlled environment, the training provided practical insights on self-recovery techniques.

Key lessons included understanding the importance of proper shoveling techniques to conserve energy under the sun and intense heat. Participants learned how to work efficiently by shoveling on the shaded side of the car (if available), taking breaks, staying hydrated, and using gravity to remove sand more effectively from beneath the vehicle. Moreover, they gained knowledge on utilizing key car features, such as the differential lock and crawl control, to prevent the need for shoveling altogether.

For me, the biggest takeaway from this experience is to never venture into the desert alone!

A big thank you to our founder, @alshamsi_m, for conducting this training under the harsh sun and scorching sand, and to everyone who supported and participated.

See you at the next event!

[Spyda]

Arrived early to the meeting point where I met Brett, had some chit chat before the rest of the members arrived. We was instructed to not deflate our tyres, highway pressure on soft sand is challenging as the footprint of the tyre is very small compared to being deflated. After driving for a few km we reached the theory training area, Shamsi set up a mat with all the recovery tools and toy cars to demonstrate different rescue scenarios. Jeeps being the stuck cars and FJ as the rescue cars, he explained the importance of selecting the correct recovery points and angles as to which you should pull from. Using multiple ropes or halfing ropes also if the scenario dictates to get the pulling car in the right position. Also it was explained exactly why we have to have certain tools and there usage to aid in recovery. The club tried and tested Viking rope being one of those items as it offers the best elasticity for kinetic energy transfer.

After a very hot but informative theory training it was time for us to go and get stuck and put theory into practice. I partnered with Paddy and we drove off and dug our cars into the sand with throttle. Under the watchful eye of daggerfall we both self recovered are cars using onboard gizmos. Myself low range and Rd lock.

Next up was to get stuck on a crest and dig, under the scorching sun it was a test of endurance as the body tends to go into preservation mode when faced with extreme stress like heat. Daggerfall guided me on how to dig with some key pointers, dig under the shade if possible, keep hydrated, pace yourself and how to shovel with minimum effort. After a good 30 mins of digging made more uncomfortable by the wind blowing sand into my eyes I had cleared the sand and was ready to try driving out. Shamsi instructed 4l and 3rd gear, my car drove straight off the crest first time which is important as digging in 45c heat is not fun and better to dig enough first time then try driving off and spinning the wheels digging the car deeper with the tyres.

Next up was rope recovery, remembering the techniques shamsi taught us earlier that afternoon, one key thing keeping the rope straight after pulling so it doesn't wrap around a wheel. Myself and paddy successfully pulled each other out of the stuck.

The event finished with a drive led by Shamsi across the small but technical dunes. Got us onto a few baby crests which was superfun.

Great day of learning despite the heat, fundamental recovery techniques learnt and put into practice.

Thank you to the founder and Marshalls for your patience and training us these essential techniques

[brett]

Dear Almosters,
As usual I arrived at the meeting point early, I was a bit supriszed at the location as it was near by the previous year’s meeting point but right beside a rather stinky garbage skip !
I quickly deflated – although the instruction to the victims (participants) was not to deflate, I knew as I have done the challenge 3 times previously, my job would be to pull the hapless drivers when they got stuck on the way to the sitting area.
Once everyone assembled and @alshamsi_m gave a quick attendance and briefing. Due to the importance of this challenge in the development of the Newbies we had the support of a lot of marshals – a huge thanks to the support of @Solmaz , @Agalon , @Daggerfall @Rashidjass and @rapailo
It was still very hot at the meeting point – once we set off on the access track it wasn’t long before we had our first stuck cars in the soft track. Rather than waste too much time we set about to tow a few cars out. Once we reached the briefing area in the desert @alshamsi_m went through the theory part showing the tools and recovery equipment needed. And some recovery techniques using the toy cars as props.
Then it was time for the drivers to pair up and start putting the theory into practice. Did I mention it was hot ! 45C. the drivers all tried the various recovery techniques realizing putting theory into practice is not as easy as one might expect.
As the afternoon started to move to evening it was time to stop the digging and pulling, so off @AlShamsi headed at a brisk pace in the Jimny for the “bonus” drive it was quite a challenge to keep up with many 2nd tries in the soft sand compounded by the vegetation now covering most of the dunes making it hard to find a smooth line through the terrain.
The drive concluded just as it was becoming dark, the many very tired (exhausted) drivers set about inflating their tires before heading home for a well deserved rest.

[ahmed77moharem]

Hi everyone
At the beginning I would like to say that Rescue the Marshal event, organized by @alshamsi_m is one of the most important training trips I joined it.
I was very interested to join the trip from the information we heard it from the oldest members.
We learned how to do the self-recovery & recovery for the others on different positions either above crests or on flat land with different techniques even by one rope or multiple ropes.
After we did all the required stuck cases, we got a complementary from @alshamsi_m by making a quick nice trip which ending our day in a very good mode.
Thanks a lot for all the marshals @alshamsi_m @Agalon @Daggerfall @Rapailo @solmaz & @Rashidjass for his amazing YouTube video
Thanks for all rescue team @AhmedHasan @Brett @AhmedMafia

[Ely]

Hello Almosters!

Rescue the marshal is one of the pre-requisite event for the next level (2 stars intermediate). It is the occasion to familiarize yourself with rescue and the rescue tools.

The event was organized and led by @alshamsi_m, with the support of @Solmaz , @Agalon , @Rashidjass , @rapailo , @Daggerfall , @brett, @Ahmed M Hassan Al and @Ahmed Mafia.

Upon reaching the meeting point we drove without deflating to our briefing point. That was kind of funny… you truly had to drive it like you stole it. If you don’t have enough momentum—> you get stuck, if you break too hard—> you get stuck, and if you get stuck, you must try to effectuate a self-recovery…

After reaching our briefing point, Bu Salem give us a course on rescue and explained the uses of our rescue tools. We were introduced to different stuck scenarios with visuals and that was very handy.

Here are some takeaways:
1) If you are stuck get out and walk around your car to evaluate the situation. This will give you an holistic view and allow you to decide if you can do self-recovery or ask for help and to understand from which angle/side you should get a pull.
2) Only the person stuck and the rescuer can discuss about the rescue and agree on what to do or walk away.
3) Be aware of the Danger zone while in rescue situation: it is between the two cars and behind the rescuer.
4) Always have cloves to protect your hands from heat and any injuries that rescue situations may cause.
5) While rescuing: always pull from lower point from the ground, and nearest point from your car. That is why it is important to have proper recovery points (best to have 4 on each side of the car or at least 3 : 2 in front and 1 in the middle-back).
6) It is possible to use more than 1 rope to pull a car, depending on the situation. Always connect 2 ropes with a soft shackle.

Now I am not going to spoil it for you ! Join the next rescue the marshal event to know more !

Thank you to all of you for this very instructive event! I am ready to practice!

Take care and see you soon !
Bisous

[mrwkassem]

It was hot day, especially meeting time was at 02:30PM, all participant were on time we had our 1st brief at the meeting point, then we went to the the second point without deflating where i was stuck in flat area, i got pulled by @brett , then there were few stucks at my behind, finally we arrived to the second breifing point where @alshamsi_m give us a really useful lecture and elucidate the rescue tools, how to use and what are the risks, as well as the stuck scenarios and how to plan for recovery and first of all the main role "DON'T GET STUCK".
Afterwards, we splited to teams to practice on 2 scenarios of stuck trying for self recovery as well as by pulling up. i was struggling at the begaining to move around, however after deflating it become different.
we practiced on the different scenarios, we learn alot, especially when my partner was pulling my car out we should have a better communication to avoid any potential accident.
then we had our complemantary drive which was really nice and smooth reaching to the ending point.
i would like to advise all member to attend the rescue the marshal drive you will learn a lot and will have confidence for upcoming drives. all thanks to our marshals and supporting team @alshamsi_m , @rashid, @Solmaz , @Agalon @Daggerfall , @rapailo , @brett , @Ahmed M Hassan Al , @ahmedmafia