An RAF winchman is urging climbers and walkers to learn how to work with RAF rescue helicopters. Duncan Tripp, Master Aircrew Winchman Paramedic based at RAF Lossiemouth on 202 Squadron with the Sea King rescue helicopters has issued guidance on safe practice whilst in the vicinity of a Sea King rescue helicopter and is keen that hillwalkers should familarise themselves with it in case they are involved in a mountain rescue.
Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Officer with the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) described the guidance as “essential reading” for anyone spending a significant amount of time in the Scottish hills.
The advice includes how to approach a landed helicopter with a casualty safely and what information helicopter crews need to know from rescuers before the helicopter arrives and also what the procedure is likely to be once the helicopter arrives at the scene. Although the advice focuses on RAF helicopters it is likely to be useful for anyone involved in a rescue whether Coastguard, RAF, or air ambulances are involved.
The guidance documents covers Working with Search and Rescue Helicopters and can be downloaded at this link.