The 30-year-old was taking part in a routine exercise at the Penrith White Water Rafting Park when a rubber raft flipped and struck her on the head while she and other volunteers were trying to right it.

Anxious hours followed as she was flown to Royal North Shore Hospital with fears she may have suffered spinal damage.

Yesterday an SES spokesperson passed on the news that medical scans had since cleared the volunteer of any ongoing medical issues and that she was expected to be discharged from hospital the same weekend.

While the outcome of this particular incident was a relatively good one compared to what might have been, it is yet another reminder of the dangers faced by emergency service volunteers not only when battling natural disasters or performing rescues, but during the many hours of training they perform in order to be in a position to do that.

The specific training exercise has been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation, and naturally the welfare of volunteers is paramount and anything that can be done to ensure they can carry out their duties safely is welcomed.

Late last year the Daily Liberal saw firsthand a training exercise on the Macquarie River involving Dubbo SES members designed to prepare them to help firefighters contain hazardous chemical spills. Boating skills play a vital role in helping during flood rescues, something people in western NSW are no stranger to.

Then and now it is obvious to even the most casual of observers their professionalism and commitment are a credit to them and the region they serve.