• The Derbyshire Caver, No. 158

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How to (not) lower a stretcher

Mark Wright

Active member
A former Swiss helicopter winch man friend of mine told me it was a practice rescue and was probably due to the pilot misinterpreting the rescuers hand movements, while trying to connect to the winch hook, as a signal to ascend.

Unfortunately the rescuer had not yet made the full attachment and it failed soon after their full weight had been taken.

The issue was apparently not un-common. Petzl have worked with heli teams throughout the Alps to developed some interesting devices making heli rescue much safer.

https://www.petzl.com/GB/en/Professional/Lanyards-and-energy-absorbers/LEZARD#.WSNOl1LMw9c

https://www.petzl.com/GB/en/Professional/Lanyards-and-energy-absorbers/IGUANE#.WSNRulLMw9c

Mark
 
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