CHILDREN at a Forest school were given an insight into the techniques used to rescue people from underground.

Pupils at Ellwood Primary School worked with members of the Gloucestershire Cave Rescue as part of a science day.

The school's science co-ordinator Judy Clements said: "We're doing a topic on overground and underground and we've been looking at mining in the Forest of Dean.

"Gloucestershire Cave Rescue showed survival techniques and how they would rescue a casualty.

"We've been looking at the science behind cave rescue."

Paul Taylor, Andy Clark, Robin Weare and Ladi Broadman spent the day at the school working with the children.

They set up five scenarios – passing messages in code on radio, moving a 50kg dummy, getting a stretcher through an obstacle course, first aid and survival kits.

Mr Taylor said: "The children were amazed at how long it can take to get a casualty out of a cave.

"It could be 36 hours before they get back above ground so keeping a casualty comfortable is important.

"Cave rescue teams are cavers, it's our hobby. Being part of cave rescue is a sort of insurance – we do it to help other cavers."

The team was involved in the rescue recently of a father and son who got lost in a mine working near Clearwell.

Mr Taylor added: "It was straightforward but we have to be prepared to be called out at any time."