Making the Grade

(From Airwaves magazine - Issue 3, June 2007)

Every rescue mission is different, each one presenting new challenges. But with people’s lives at stake, rescue crews must be ‘on their game’ every time. That means following a strict schedule of training to prepare for every eventuality.

In New Zealand’s  early days of air rescue, the rules of operation were largely made up as operators and crews went along. There were no established precedents, guidelines or procedures to follow.

The first known civilian helicopter rescue in New Zealand was in 1963 when Nelson pilot John Reid, flying a Sikorsky S55 helicopter rescued a young woman who had been seriously injured in a caving accident.

Over the following years, many commercial helicopter companies offered their services to assist with rescue and in some areas, dedicated rescue operations were established.

In 1986, Christchurch commercial operator Garden City Helicopters found themselves involved in a particularly difficult and challenging ocean rescue off the Canterbury Coast.

Realising they were not equipped with appropriate equipment for this type of rescue, the crew made do with ropes and lifejackets but it was after this operation that the decision was made to set up an independent Trust to raise funds for fundamental support of a full time rescue operation.

Today, the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust’s main function includes securing and administering the funding of suitable rescue equipment, and the provision of an on-going training programme.

Each year, the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust commits a minimum of approximately $150,000 to the specialised training of air rescue and retrieval teams.

Each of these training programmes are certified by independent observers to ensure the very highest standards are consistently met.

Helicopter pilots are trained in the specialised flight techniques unique to specific rescue situations. From high altitude alpine rescues to long range ocean missions, New Zealand’s diverse terrain requires individual flight training to cope with every eventuality in every environment.

Winch operators are trained by one of Australasia’s most experienced winchmen and are re-trained every three months to ensure efficiency and competency at all times.

Specialised training programmes are in place to cover the individual techniques required for each rescue situation. The Water Rescue Team are required to undertake regular training programmes throughout the year in surf lifesaving as well as swift and open water retrieval.

As well, crews must be trained in alpine survival, search and rescue, reconnaissance and specific techniques in support of bomb squad and Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) operations.
As new equipment is introduced and refined - such as the recent introduction of Night Vision Goggles - crews must be trained and retrained to ensure they meet the required standard.

There is no doubt that we would not be able to fund the required equipment and training programmes without the valuable and welcome support of the following organisations:

• Eureka Trust
• Mainland Foundation
• Lion Foundation
• Scottwood Trust
• NZ Community Trust
• Caversham Foundation
• Bendigo Valley Sports and Charity Foundation
• Southern Trust
• First Sovereign Trust
• Century Foundation
• Air Rescue Services