Category Archives: PTSD

The Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash 2 June 1994. A few days I will never forget.

Posted on June 2, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

This is a timely reminder of a tragedy of the Chinook Crash and the efforts of the RAF Teams involved. The Chinook crash Mull of Kintyre June 1994. –   29 Years ago and this story is still as vivid … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Mountain rescue, PTSD, Well being | 9 Comments

Moving forward on Well being.

Posted on April 10, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Recently I have been asked to do various charities mainly on mountaineering but I’m every case Mental Health comes into the discussion. To me the hear folk talk openly about dealing and educating about Mental health is a great improvement. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Family, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | 2 Comments

Mother’s Day

Posted on March 19, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Mothers Day I always think about my Mum even more so just now. A few days ago was the day of Women who Inspire my Mum is without doubt the lady I was always inspired by her. It has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Friends, Health, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | 3 Comments

Looking into the future? The Well being of past and present members of Mountain Rescue, SARDA and other Agencies.

Posted on January 13, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

The role of many voluntary agencies has changed over the years. In my field in the early 70’s the majority of incidents were for mountaineers in trouble on the hills and wild places. I saw things change over the years … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | 6 Comments

Today is the Lockerbie Anniversary Disaster Tragedy. A hard day for many. Help is out there #itsgoodtotalk

Posted on December 20, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s been a difficult year for me a lot of medical problems and very hard at times controlling the “Black Dog”is always there. Today is a huge day in my life it is the Anniversary of the Lockerbie Disaster in … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Family, Friends, Lockerbie, Media, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Recomended books and Guides, Views Political?, Well being | 4 Comments

High Risks – Climbing to Extinction – Brian Hall

Posted on December 1, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I found this an exceptional book. It took me back to the “ Golden Years” of Alpine and Himalayan Mountaineers.The death toll of these climbers pushing their ambitions and the complexity of their lives is an eye opener. He also … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Enviroment, Equipment, Family, Friends, Gear, Health, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Sgurr Na Stri Skye only 494 metres it’s tiny but packs a punch! What a viewpoint one of the best and a sad night in 1982.

Posted on November 21, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

This was a mountain I hate to say I had never climbed. I was always to busy when on Skye climbing, traversing the ridge and rock climbing. My first ascent was one of the most wildest call-outs I can recall. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Books, Islands, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, PTSD, Weather, Well being | 1 Comment

Remembrance Week – A forgotten story of the Wellington crash on Geal Charn near Ben Alder.

Posted on November 12, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

To me this is an incredible story not well known but worthy of being acknowledged as an incredible survival story of one of the crew. This crash site is in extremely remote country access can be wild in winter. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Avalanche info, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Views Mountaineering, Well being, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Hard times in the early years. Aircraft crash at Dornie and learning the hard way. Dealing with Trauma in the early days.

Posted on October 18, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

After the call out on Ben Nevis I was put on shift for the whole weekend and no break at all. Then ten days later the team was called out to an aircraft crash near Dornie at Kintail. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Friends, Gear, Health, medical, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Views Mountaineering | 1 Comment

Early Callouts in 1972 – The harsh reality of Mountain Rescues.

Posted on October 17, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

At this time the call outs were fairly simple including a search for missing boy near Kinloss at Randolph’s Leap a popular walk near a steep gorge. We found him safe and well after a night search. The other was … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Equipment, Family, Friends, medical, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Rock Climbing, SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 2 Comments