Netcare 911 staff receives air force training
Chris Botha said it is great to know that they have a skilled team that can be deployed day or night to rescue people from inaccessible areas.
KZN Netcare 911 paramedics and rescue officers and three Gauteng rescue officers spent the day training with the air force at 15 Squadron on Tuesday, 27 September.
After a short de-briefing, the team started with hoisting two people at a time using a strop system.
“After that they had to secure a patient into a stokes basket and then hoist them with the medic up to the helicopter,” said Netcare 911 media liaison officer, Chris Botha.
They then flew to the Shongweni area where they hoisted people up and down at the waterfall next to the N3.
“With a very skilled pilot and engineer, they trained the paramedical staff to get out of the helicopter while it is hovering at a steep slope.
Botha said the pilot had placed one sked on the side of the steep slope and once the engineer determined that it was safe, the medics were allowed to exit the helicopter.
“Once out onto the side of the mountain they had to huddle in a group securing each other to allow the helicopter to take off.”
After training, the pilot flew to Umhlanga hospital where he demonstrated his skill in a simulation of bringing in a patient from the mountains.
“It is a great relief to know that we have such a skilled team that can be deployed day or night to rescue people from
otherwise inaccessible areas or from ships far out to sea,” added Botha.
