Helicopter Rescue

[Matt-75]

Im doing BSAC DL lectures at the minute and we had the one on helicopter rescues last week. A question i had cropped up, that our instructor didn't have an answer for.

If the helicopter crew is forced to use hand signals for some reason (radio failure or similar), what would the hand signals likely be?

Are their a set of standard signals used?
If so, is there any documentation showing visual representation of the signals?

Thanks in advance,

Matt

[nigelH]

As I remember it they normally have a loudspeaker system that could waken the dead.

[chas49]

The MCGA leaflet (Life Saving Signals) is included in the current Diving Safely pack - which you can get free from the Coastguard (see Humber CoastGuard on here... and he may well have the definitive answer )

[MattS]

If the helicopter crew is forced to use hand signals for some reason (radio failure or similar), what would the hand signals likely be

Outstretched palm rocked side to side, point at radio, slide right index finger in and out of circle made with left thumb and forefinger, right thumb up.

Got it!

[Paul Oliver]

There are standard Helli Marshalling signals which are used by the forces amongst others, i will see if i can dig them out for you. Its quite simple stuff but generally only needed if the Pilots don't have a loadmaster to talk them in and i doubt they would be too relevant in our situations.

The main one i'd say would be "I am your Marshal" which could be read as "I am the boat you want" if there are several in the area. Which is both arms stretched up above your head.

Possibly "Go away" as well which is arms stretched above your head then waving in and out so they cross over. There are lots more that are only really relavant to bringing in underslung loads.

[chas49]

Originally Posted by Paul Oliver

There are standard Helli Marshalling signals ....... There are lots more that are only really relavant to bringing in underslung loads.

The leaflet I mentioned gives ones the aircraft can use to tell the boat to change to a given heading - perhaps all that would be needed to allow them to put the wiinchman down? Then he would be able to signal to the helo using whatever protocol they have....

[Pez]

I am not a SAR Boy but do mince around in helicopters and do the odd bit of winching to and from boats/ships. The main issue for a RIB is that the craft runs into wind so the helicopter can gain the benefit of wind through the rotors to maximise lift.

Therefore, if you set up into wind and run at a slow speed, 5 Kts, the helicopter will make an aproach to place you in its 4 o clock position. The crew will do their checks and when ready the winch op will give you a thumbs or deploy a winchman. he will communicate through a wireless radio and/or hand signals to the winch operator who in turn directs the stick monkey in the front who will fly a heading at about 5 Kts. Once you see the thumbs up or winchman being lowered, the cox'n should start to run in and formate on the aircraft winch not the winchman who will be swinging and spinning nor the centre line of the helo. The winch drum on the side of the aircraft is your reference. As you come to the underhead of the winch, the winchman will be dropped into your boat. With radio comms the helo will give you his heading and speed. Hand signals will be obvious gesticulations for direction and signals for speed up/slow down similar to the highway code etc.

If for some reason, engine failure, restriction on sea space etc, or you have a stretcher case in a big sea. you may have to be static. In this the helo crew will sort it themselves and do a trapped deck approach. You are by definition unable to do anything except bob around and clear a target for the winchman. Deploying a sea anchor will assist in reducing your movement due to rotorwash. It is fairly tricky to land in a moving boat so the trick is to dump the winchman in once the helo is overhead the vessel, as per the teaching do not try to help and give the winchman a nice clear space to land.

I have talked an authoratative RAF SAR winchman on this. There is no definative reference document, although the CG helos use the same Standard Operating Procedure as the military SAR gods. Hope this helps. Give the SAR flights or CG station a ring. The boys and girls will be more than happy to give you advice. Just don't mention the yellow Sea King stuck in Scotland.

[Paul Oliver]

That would make sense as they want them heading into the wind.

Edit: Sorry i was answering the point made by Chas, not Pez

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by Matt-75

Im doing BSAC DL lectures at the minute and we had the one on helicopter rescues last week. A question i had cropped up, that our instructor didn't have an answer for.

If the helicopter crew is forced to use hand signals for some reason (radio failure or similar), what would the hand signals likely be?

Are their a set of standard signals used?
If so, is there any documentation showing visual representation of the signals?

Thanks in advance,

Matt

I have recently done this lecture for my club and found it to be easy with the use of a DVD of live actual winching from my deck by 2 different helicopters ( one the big coastguard thing & a Belguim sea king ).

I'll run some disc's off , and if you care to PM me your address , i'll send one up to you .


All those requiring disc's ( as i have had a few PM's ).... I will post when the disc's have been copied .... then send me a SAE , and your got them by return post ........... can't be fairer than that...........

[Matt-75]

Originally Posted by chas49

The MCGA leaflet (Life Saving Signals) is included in the current Diving Safely pack - which you can get free from the Coastguard (see Humber CoastGuard on here... and he may well have the definitive answer )

Is that the same pack mentioned in the 'hyperbaric contact numbers' thread?

Originally Posted by Humber Coastguard

For a Diving Safely Pack which includes a Diving Accident Management Flowchart and Diver Help Card e-mail your postal address to paul.chapman@mcga.gov.uk

[Edited]

I emailed Paul Chapman last night for one and he got back to me earlier. So i will hopefully be getting one of those packs soon with the information i need and can use when im diving.

Thanks Guys and Girls,

Matt