There are nine fully-trained rescue crew paramedics on the team plus 5 water rescue specialists, supported by ground-based operations staff and maintenance crew. Each team member works carefully arranged rotations to ensure the constant schedule of training, equipment servicing and aircraft maintenance is achieved.

In most situations, an initial distress call will be received through the St John Ambulance emergency 111 call-centre and from here, when the need for air rescue has been assessed, the alert will be sent directly to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter base. If the call is after hours, on-duty crew will be paged.

The pilot and crew are quickly assembled, briefed by St John and given as many details of the accident as are known plus map references and co-ordinates. With the majority of helicopter rescues carried out in remote locations, it is important for whoever raises the alarm to give as much detail as possible about the situation.

This not only involves the immediate accident details but should also include information that will help the rescue helicopter pilot locate the area as quickly as possible. While pilots have an extensive knowledge of their operating region, it is also helpful to have details of local weather conditions, surrounding terrain and nearby landmarks as well as any hazards such overhead lines or trees which could delay or interfere with landing.

With this information, any specialist equipment such as life rafts or survival packs can also be loaded on-board if necessary.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is a twin-engine BK 117, weighing 3,350kgs and carrying a maximum of 720 litres of fuel. It has a replacement cost of $6.2 million, including the rescue, medical and avionics equipment it carries.  There is well over $1 million of equipment installed in this rescue helicopter which is kept loaded on standby at all times. During regular maintenance periods, the BK 117 is replaced by a back-up AS350B Squirrel helicopter.

The rescue helicopter is regarded as a fully equipped intensive care unit in the sky.  It has everything you would find in the back of a road ambulance, and more.

From the time the rescue helicopter lifts off, the pilot is in communication with the operations centre, constantly updating the situation as it evolves.

At the time of the emergency, an ambulance will often be dispatched to the scene in support to allow for extra assistance at the scene.

The helicopter’s speed and manoeuvrability generally ensures arrival on the scene well before the ambulance. In fact this speed factor is fundamental to the nature of helicopter rescue. Studies have shown that if a patient can be transported to the medical care they need within one hour of the onset of illness or injury, their chances of making a full recovery increase by up to 80%. This is recognised worldwide and referred to as “the Golden Hour”.

Throughout the return transport, the patient will be cared for by the paramedics until arrival at the medical care facility. In Christchurch this means landing at Hagley Park in front of Christchurch Hospital, where the patient will be transferred by waiting ambulance.

From there, the helicopter returns to base to be re-equipped and refueled ready for the next callout.

While each emergency may differ in circumstances, the level of commitment to efficiency, safety and performance remains the same. Pilots, crew, paramedics and operations staff undergo an extensive and on-going training programme throughout the year to finely tune their rescue techniques and procedures - ranking them among the best in the world.

The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust administers the operation and each year commits approximately $120,000 to training of rescue and retrieval teams.

These programmes are certified by independent observers to ensure that the highest standards are met.  Winch operators are trained by one of Australasia’s most experienced winchmen and are re-trained every six months.

Specialised training programmes are in place for water rescue, surf lifesaving, swift and open water retrieval, alpine and high altitude survival, avalanche awareness, winch operation, bomb squad, AOS (armed offenders squad) and reconnaissance activities.