to communicate a clear plan between all role players about the specific goals of the exercise. Participants discuss what rescue gear will be utilized, including stretchers. ELO Bell goes over the procedure to unclip from the helicopter and attach to the hoist; the relevant hand signals that show when participants are ready to exit the helicopter and hoist down; where to stand/ hold when exiting the helicopter; and the signals to give to the helicopter crew once we are unclipped on the ground and ready for the helicopter to depart. The ELO is responsible for the passengers/patients in the helicopter as well as the safe operation/ serviceability of the hoist.
After the extensive briefing is complete, we start the exercise. I am part of the first team on board. In the cabin is Bell alongside David Nel from the Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) Search and Rescue, who will lead this exercise.
It’s my first time hoisting from a helicopter and I’m slightly apprehensive. Nel and Bell both have a reassuring nature, which helps to settle my nerves. We complete final gear checks to ensure all connections are secure, and the helicopter takes off. Shortly afterwards, we are high up on Table Mountain at our training area. Bell gives the thumbs up that I can connect to the
hoist and thereafter disconnect from the helicopter attachment. With one foot out onto the step and my hand on the handrail, I position and descend to the ground on a 20-meter hoist journey. On reaching the ground I make sure I’m on stable ground with a firm footing before detaching from the hoist and giving the signal to the crew above that they can retract the hoist and move off. A few different stretcher options are practiced, including packaging the “patient.” Eye protection is worn when operating underneath the helicopter because of the amount of dust and objects blown around by the rotor-blade downwash.
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