My visit was on the 26th of February 2010 and I was greeted by one of the coastguard paramedics, Pete Mahoney. The day started with a brief introduction of the duty crew including the two pilots, and I was then taken to be fitted out in an immersion suit. These are special suits that keep you dry when submerged in water, and they also have to be an air tight fit when worn otherwise they won’t be effective.
This was followed by a walk around the hanger then the usual health & safety checks. Once this was completed it was time for our brief to discuss the planned events for the remainder of their shift. I discovered that their shift started at 1300 hrs through to 1300hrs the next day, 24 hour with this being a sleeping duty over night. Those who lived within a 15 minute response could go home at 2200 hrs and return at 0800 hrs to continue on with their shift if they wanted to.
Once this was completed it was time for me to be shown around their aircraft. The type used is an Augusta 139, a very powerful machine but lacking in interior space - the pilots love this aircraft but for practical reasons the working environment for the paramedics is a little cramped - then it was time for the usual safety checks. A key future of the aircraft is its capability to float if they had to ditch on water. It has an internal emergency float system that is activated when it lands on the water. Another interesting feature is that it carries two emergency dingies inside the front of the undercarriage which can be activated from the outside if you’re in the water to allow the personnel some safety and shelter, in the event of an emergency away from the aircraft.
I was then shown the medical equipment carried in the various bags. These comprised some familiar equipment that SCAS carry on all ambulances so I felt at home if the need arose for me to help. My role for the day was to observe, but in the event of an medical emergency I would be expected to assist in the treatment of any patient that we might encounter during my shift.
During our brief I was informed that they are allowed 50 hrs a month for training, so today was a training day and what it entailed for me was quite exciting. Our first task was to wash the winch with clean water as salt water does erode metal over time, and then it was time to practice winching over the airfield, testing the winch to ensure that all was functioning correctly, this was carried out with a large weight. Once satisfied, the two pilots then had to carry out an instrument approach into Bournemouth airport which is a requirement by the CAA to be current in instrument approaches. In bad weather the pilots wear a shield over their helmet so all they can see in front of them in their instruments, so flying blind in other words. Each pilot carried out two circuits.
Next we headed out to sea off the coast of Bournemouth and I was informed that we would then practice winching onto a moving boat. The pilots picked out a motor cruiser that was manoeuvring out at sea and asked for permission to carry out this task, which was excepted by the owner. Then I was asked if I would be happy to winched down onto the moving boat, and I jumped at this opportunity so the paramedic was winched down first, then I was prepared to be lowered. They applied a harness over my life jacket with a safety helmet. I was then asked to shuffle to the edge of the open door, sit with my legs hanging over the side waiting for the thumbs up signal from the winch man to indicate I was happy to be lowered. I was then swung out of the aircraft and just hanging above the water at approximately 30 feet moving toward the motor cruiser. It felt very strange being suspended on a cable just below the helicopter but it was all over in minutes, my feet touching the deck of the boat with the paramedic holding onto me before unclipping the winch. The helicopter then moved off with the paramedic talking to the crew on the aircraft for its intended approach to lift us back into the aircraft together as a real rescue.
The next surprise in storel for me was a cliff rescue, so we headed along the coast towards Swanage and it wasn’t long before the crew spotted a location at the bottom of a cliff with a ledge. We then manoeuvered into position with the winch man giving instruction to the pilot who lower the paramedic onto this ledge with precision instructions. Once he was unclipped we then repositioned the aircraft out off the coast and repeated my scenario but this time we were some distance from land and I was then slung out on the winch and left to dangle before they started to move back towards the spot. I must say around the bay the sea conditions were much harsher with quite a swell and the waves crashing against the rocks put on a different perspective, but it wasn’t long before I was lowered onto the ledge to join my colleague. The harness used in this scenario was one that is commonly used basically for support and, believe it, for comfort! A section loops under your knees, and the other under your arms, whereas before the single harness just looped under arms. I found this very uncomfortable and felt like my arms being pulled out of their sockets, although I don’t suppose one would complain too much if being rescued.
It was time for the crew to return to their base at Lee-on Solent as their shift was nearing the end, so we headed back. The whole exercise took two hours in total and I consider myself very fortunate to have been given this opportunity to accompany the crew of the search and rescue unit.
Mike Gregory
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