COMPETENCE : Coordinate search and

rescue operations
KUP: A thorough knowledge of and ability
to apply the procedures contained in the
International Aeronautical and Maritime
Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual
Methods for demonstrating competence:
Examination and assessment of evidence
obtained from practical instruction or
approved simulator training, where
appropriate
Criteria for evaluating competence: The
plan for coordinating search and rescue
operations is in accordance with
international guidelines and standards.
Radio communications are established
and correct communication procedures
are followed at all stages of the search
and rescue operations
 SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION

CO2 Coordinate search and rescue

operations
TOPIC: Actions by an assisting vessel
4 The assistance rendered by SAR
aircraft and Helicopters
LO5 Describe a Search and Rescue
operation
TEACHER ACTIVITY CADET ACTIVITY
1. Present the topic Let the students
to students explain the
assistance rendered
by SAR aircraft and
Helicopters
Aircraft Assisting
Distress Call and Message Received
. Aircraft may receive a distress call or
message from craft directly or by relay via
an ATS unit.
. Aircraft over the sea may receive an alarm
signal or a distress call from a vessel. This
usually occurs by relay from a CRS.
. Aircraft may receive a distress signal
aurally from an EPIRB or ELT on 121.5
MHz.
. Aircraft near a distressed craft may
receive visual signals.
Immediate Action
. Reports should be evaluated to determine
their validity and degree of urgency.
. Any aeronautical station or aircraft
knowing of an emergency incident should
relay the MAYDAY or transmit a distress
message whenever such action is
necessary to obtain assistance for the
person, aircraft, or vessel in distress.
. In such circumstances, it should be made
clear that the aircraft transmitting the
message is not itself the distressed craft.
Supply Dropping
. Assistance by aircraft during a SAR
mission can include dropping liferaft
and equipment to craft in distress,
lowering trained individuals from
helicopters, or evacuating survivors by
helicopter.
. Ships in distress or survivors may be
supplied by SAR aircraft with special
items of droppable equipment.
Assistance by Helicopters
. A helicopter may be used to supply
equipment and rescue or evacuate
persons.
. The radius of helicopter action usually
varies up to 300 nautical miles from
base, but it can be greater, especially
with air-to-air refuelling.
. Lifting capacity is between one and up
to 30 persons depending on the size
and type of aircraft.
. Rescue operations involve helicopter crew
risks which should be minimized.
- it is essential to evaluate the seriousness
of the situation, and to ascertain the
need of helicopter assistance.
. The helicopter’s mass may be a factor
limiting the number of survivors taken
aboard each trip.
- it may be necessary to reduce the mass
of the helicopter by removal of non-
essential equipment, or using minimum
fuel loads and advance bases with
fuelling capabilities.
. For the evacuation of persons, the end
of a winching cable may be provided
with a rescue sling, basket, net, litter, or
seat.
. Experience has shown that when
winching a person suffering from
hypothermia, especially after
immersion in water, a rescue basket or
stretcher should be used to keep the
person in a horizontal position, since
winching in a vertical position may
cause severe shock or cardiac arrest.
LIFTING EQUIPMENTS OF SAR AIRCRAFT
Rescue Seat
. The rescue seat looks like a three-
pronged anchor with two flat flukes or
seats.
. Persons to be hoisted merely sit astride
on one or two of the seats and wrap
their arms around the shank.
. This device can be used to winch two
persons at once.
Rescue Sling
. The most widely used means for
evacuating persons is the rescue sling.
. Slings are suited for quickly picking up
uninjured persons, but are unsuitable for
persons with injuries.
. The sling is put on in much the same way
as one puts on a coat, ensuring that the
loop of the sling passes behind the back
and under both armpits.
. The person using the sling must face the
hook. Hands should be clasped in front.
. The person must not sit in the sling, nor
should the sling be unhooked.
Double Lift Method
. Some SAR helicopters use the double
lift method which consists of a normal
sling and a seating belt manned by a
helicopter crew member.
. This method is suitable for pick-up of
incapacitated persons from land, water,
or the deck of a vessel, if they are not
injured badly enough so that a litter has
to be used.
. The helicopter crew member puts the
person into the sling and conducts the
winching operation
Rescue Basket
. Use of the rescue basket does not
require any special measures. To use
the basket, the person merely climbs in,
remains seated and holds on.
Rescue Net
. The rescue net has a conical ‘‘bird
cage’’ appearance and is open on one
side.
. To use the net the person merely enters
the opening, sits in the net, and holds
on.
Rescue Litter
. Patients will in most cases be
disembarked by means of a rescue
litter.
. The evacuation of patients can be done
in a special litter provided by the
helicopter or in a litter provided at the
site.
. Bridles are fitted to this litter and can
quickly and safely be hooked on and off.
. The litter provided by the helicopter
should be unhooked from the winch
cable while the patient is being loaded.
High-Line Technique
A technique employed by Search and
Rescue helicopter crews to recover a
casualty from a vessel under certain
conditions.
In certain weather conditions it may not
be possible to winch the helicopter
Winchman or the strop (rescue harness)
from a position directly above a vessel to
the vessel’s deck. Under such
circumstances a weighted rope extension
to the winch wire may be lowered to the
vessel.
 This extension is known as a Hi-Line
Heaving-in Line and is connected via a
weak link to the aircraft’s winch hook.
When the Hi-Line technique is used, once
the weighted line is placed on the deck,
one crew member must handle the line. He
should take up the slack on the Hi-Line and
haul in ONLY when instructed to do so by
the helicopter crew by radio message or
hand signal. The Hi-Line must NOT be
secured to any part of the vessel.
 A second crew member should coil the
slack line into a bucket or similar container
clear of obstructions. It is advisable for the
handling crew to wear protective gloves to
prevent rope burns.
If the helicopter has to break away
during the operation the line must be paid
out or, if necessary, released completely
ensuring that the line passes clear
outboard.
As the Hi-Line is paid out, the helicopter
will move to one side of the vessel and
descend.
 Normally the Winchman will be winched
out; the ship’s crew should continue to
take in the slack. As the Winchman or
strop approach the vessel the earthing
lead or hook must make contact with the
vessel to discharge the static electricity
before the vessel’s crew make contact
with the wire.
 Considerable effort may be needed when
pulling the Winchman onboard. Once the
casualty has been secured in the strop,
the Winchman, if he is present, or a
member of the vessel’s crew, should
indicate that all is ready by making a hand
signal. The helicopter will commence to
winch in the wire. As this occurs a crew
member should pay out the Hi-Line
maintaining sufficient firmness to prevent
any swing.
 If the operation involves a single
recovery the Hi-Line should be released
once the end is reached. If further
winching is required to take place then the
crew member should maintain a hold on
the Hi-Line and repeat the process for the
next lift.
If multiple lifts are required two strops
may be delivered with the hook and it is
required that a casualty is placed into both
strops in the normal manner.