Richards Bay helicopter Training:

Richards Bay crew arrived at the base at 13h20 on Saturday 24 November to attend a briefing on the helicopter, hoist procedures, and the training exercise by Acher Aviation pilot Jaco Oosthuizen and Hoist Operator Shawn Franklin. Hoist Operator Shawn Franklin demonstrating how to put the strop on. Picture Brynn Gericke.During the training we intended to cover single lifting as well as handling a patient whilst transferring between the two rescue boats. The pilots intended to hoist as low as possible giving them more control as well as the NSRI crew members the opportunity to practice quick changeovers and transfers between the two boats – Spirit of Richards Bay and & Spirit of Round Table.During the exercises the NSRI made use of a strop as well as a harness type hoist strop. The advantage of this harness type strop is that it allows the rescuers to perform tasks above their heads. It places the patient directly in front of the rescuer at the correct level to maintain eye contact and to be able to continue working on the patient whilst being hoisted from the water and transferred to the rescue boat.A total of thirty hoists were executed.Exercises like these are crucial to maintain these skill levels Our station would like to extend a big thank-you to TNPA for the use of their helicopter for the exercise and to the staff of Acher Aviation for their time in training our crew. Picture Graham Swarts. Picture Graham Swarts. Picture Graham Swarts. A crewman being lifted in the strop. Picture Brynn Gericke. Crewman Werner Smit being lifted with Tammy Hodson. Picture Brynn Gericke. Picture Graham Swarts.