Are you ready for ‘Recovery Camp 2012’?

The Institute of Vehicle Recovery (IVR) has announced that 2012 will see the launch

of the UK's first 'Recovery Camp', to be held at Leicester Airport from 18th to 23rd

March.

The five day/night advanced training event will give experienced recovery operators

the opportunity to achieve 'IVR Master Recovery Technician' status, at bronze, silver

or gold level. Following completion of the course candidates will receive a certificate

to confirm their level of achievement plus a hi-viz vest emblazoned with the IVR MRT

emblem and T shirt.

A maximum of twelve attendees will have an opportunity to achieve various VR

Modules within the course, including VR21 Recovery Incident Manager (RIM)*.

Only when attendees have been confirmed, and modules requested, will modules to

be included be announced.

The mornings will consist of theory sessions for winching calculations etc. plus

brainstorming sessions, the rest of the time will be hands-on practical training,

including driving training, followed by a debrief each evening.

The course will include numerous differing recovery scenarios including the recovery

of fully loaded overturned vehicles.

Each attendee must bring a recovery vehicle, or recovery equipment as required,

plus a casualty vehicle. This will enable the course to have access to twelve

recovery systems and twelve casualty vehicles.

The IVR training team also plans to invite various recovery equipment

manufacturers/suppliers and will ask them to carry out a short presentation

showcasing the latest innovations and equipment. This will enable the attendees to

have a chance to see, and more importantly use, the equipment in real life situations.

There will also be input from Fire & Rescue teams, Accident Investigation Police

Officers and possible 'hot fire training' from Fire Personnel.

As well as the obvious technical side of Recovery Camp there will also be a great

deal of emphasis on working together and socially some healthy competition.

Attendees will be divided into two teams of six, each with a team leader. Apart from

the recovery challenges there will be other evening team events such as karting and

paintballing. On completion of the course each person will nominate a 'Best Team

Member' from each team, the winner from each team will then receive a special

award.

Each team member must commit to remain on site for the duration of the course, this

is a condition of attendance not an option. Shower and toilet facilities will be

available on site with an area for caravans, camping etc. plus parking for those

wishing to utilize their truck cabs.

Participants will be asked to bring food and drink with them and the teams will take it

in turns to cook, with Team A cooking breakfast and Team B cooking Dinner – the

next day the roles will be reversed. Gas BBQs, Cadacs and microwave ovens will be

available.

IVR President and course designer/ tutor Nick Ovenden said;

'This is an opportunity for the country's top operators to share ideas and learn new

techniques to enable rapid scene clearance at the roadside. If it is well subscribed

and further IVR funding is available it may become an annual event. But for now it is

very much a one off, a not to be missed experience.'

The cost of the course is being subsidised by the IVR, enabling the fee per person to

be held at £500 plus VAT.

To apply to attend the Recovery Camp potential participants must firstly

complete an application form. Applicants will then be short listed to the final twelve

on a first come first served basis, according to experience and ability.

The course is for experienced operators only and applications will only be accepted

from those who carry out both heavy and light recovery on a regular basis.

For more information or to request an application form please contact Nick Ovenden

at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(*certification costs will be in addition to the main course costs)