In addition to the usual case load of trauma and acute illness, hospital transfers and Search and Rescue operations, the helicopter crews continue to train in preparedness for when the next call comes in. 

All 43 crew, Intensive Care Paramedics, Crewmen and Pilots, train year-round to be fully equipped to deal with the variety of rescue missions they face.

The Crew are just about to embark on a series of training initiatives including the Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET), offshore winching and the next stage of Instrument Flight Rules training for our Rescue Pilots.  We are working hard to constantly improve patient outcomes as we move into the busy summer period.

Off-shore water winch training is now underway for the rescue crew. Every year the crew undergo intensive off-shore training to ensure they are ready for the many challenging situations that can occur out at sea. A form of Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) can be used offshore; the EPIRB which is designed for use in water situations. Some of these offshore missions are tasked by RCCNZ (Rescue Coordination Centre NZ) and others are called in through the 111 system or Coast Guard. The Crew are then tasked to respond where the Rescue Helicopter is the only option.

The crew need to be proficient in 6 different types of winching (water, boat, night/NVG, nappy and stretcher winching, mountainous terrain). The winch is literally a life-line for those involved in maritime disasters, accidents in dense bush or mountainous terrain.