Rescue crew

The rescue crewman has significant responsibilities during winching operations and may (along with any persons he/she is attempting to assist) be exposed to significant hazards. The rescue crewman function may also be very demanding of strength and aerobic capacity, particularly during rescue operations at sea.

EMS helicopters are commonly tasked to respond to the most challenging of search and rescue operations. Assurance of the safe and effective conduct of these operations is dependent upon the combination of a highly capable aircraft operated by pilots and helicopter crewmen of superior competence and informed confidence. Such competence and confidence being the result of sound training and extensive quality experience.

The aircrewman and the rescue crewman provide the helicopter crewman function. The aircrewman is a dedicated crewman function. The rescue crewman function may be a dedicated function, however, in civil EMS helicopter operations this role is usually performed by a member of the medical team. Aircrewmen and rescue crewmen require appropriate qualifications, experience and training.

The rescue crewman function, in helicopter EMS operations, may be a professional and dedicated function. However, a member of the medical team will usually perform the rescue crewman function. The rescue crewman performs the following duties:

• Assist the pilot.
• Provide checks and clearances.
• Assist the medical personnel (when the rescue crewman is not part of the medical team).
• Patient handling/packaging.
• Handling/loading/set-up of medical equipment.
• Assistance with basic life-support/medical procedures.
• Carry-out air search operations.
• Operate search equipment and SAR markers.
• Act as a visual observer.
• Carry-out winching/rappelling operations.
• Inspect and service winching/rappelling equipment.
• Carry-out "down the wire" work inclusive of working in the sea, onboard small craft and hazardous sites on land.
• Carry-out various winching techniques.

Respond to winching/rappelling emergencies.

Minimum Qualifications:
Rescue crewmen employed in EMS operations must meet minimum qualification requirements:

• Flight Radiotelephone Operator Licence.
• Current Class 2 Medical Certificate.
• Current physical fitness level (determined by appropriately qualified persons).
• Current water skills to Bronze Medallion or equivalent.
• Open water diver qualification.
• Current First Aid qualification to advanced/occupational level (for non-medical crew).
• Current HUET qualification.
• CRM course.

Prior to conducting EMS operations, additional training and qualifications are required:

• Aeronautical knowledge training inclusive of a good knowledge of safety, survival, air legislation and dangerous goods. And, at an introductory level; ATC, meteorology, communications and aircraft general knowledge.
• Aircraft type systems and role equipment familiarisation.
• Aircraft type/operator procedures familiarisation (inclusive of flight operations) winching/rappelling operations addressing normal and emergency procedures inclusive of night and over-water operations. A minimum of 3 hours general winching, 3 hours open water/boat winching (incorporating in-water recoveries and operations to small vessels) and 2 hours of night winching is the minimum requirement for rescue crewmen qualification.
• Medical equipment and, as appropriate, assistance with medical procedures (for non-medical crew).
• External load procedures.
• Search techniques, patterns and procedures.
• Site hazards and considerations associated with EMS/SAR operations.
• Ship and small craft familiarisation relevant to SAR and medical evacuation operations.
• Climbing/rappelling equipment and techniques (including industrial equipment and techniques for working at heights) familiarisation relevant to EMS and SAR operations.
• Specialist role equipment fitments.
• Airborne dropping of stores.

Local area orientation, agency and related agency familiarisation, local weather and special local hazards.

Recurrency training and checking must be done annually. In addition, all winching/rappelling operations, both standard and emergency procedures, will be exercised quarterly.

A planned structured orientation must be provided to any relief rescue crewmen. The program should be of sufficient content and duration to address role responsibilities and familiarisation with the region served. Currency of the relief rescue crewmen should be determined prior to the beginning of operations.

The rescue crewman has the right to decline or abort any portion of the mission if there is any doubt as to the safety of the mission.

Quality Assurance
Competency should be assured through annual checking and quarterly winching/rappelling exercises, which assess proficiency in both standard and emergency procedures. Physical fitness and water skills to be assessed annually. Remedial training must be implemented as deficiencies are identified. If systems and capabilities to assure these activities within the operation are not possible, then they must be acquired or accomplished from outside sources.