Day Three was our second day of training - each group rotated to a new station to use the skills learned in the previous session and acquire new skills. Different vehicles to demolish, new basket (canasta) and rope (cuerda) skills to learn. The rope instructors are having a tougher go than the vehicle extrication / stabilization crews: the Rescate personnel are well-versed in rope and knot skills and come to class ready to rock and roll.

The Commander of the Guatemalan Military, General Juan Jose Ruiz Morales, came by to observe the various activities, and graciously greeted Chief Pease and the team.

After training, we had a nice surprise from Colonels Roman and Charchal. The Instructional team got to ride in an amphibious vehicle - hard to imagine getting in and out with weapons and a full pack load. We drove to the base firing range and were treated to a demonstration of guerilla skills with the Galil rifles used by the Guatemalan Military. The day ended with a pizza-laced discussion of the class and it's effectiveness so far. We found that the student group is liberally populated with instructors from all over the country (we kept wondering why we seemed to have "ringers" in every session). We're now suspicious of anyone with a "Paracaidiste" patch! All kidding aside, it's very gratifying to have these elite professionals learning how we do it, and at times showing us the way they do it - for instance, tying a patient in and rigging the basket for a vertical lift with one piece of rope. By the way, that includes an attendant!