SAR 1 Ditched Helicopter Rescue SOPs - RCM SAR...
Transcript of SAR 1 Ditched Helicopter Rescue SOPs - RCM SAR...
SAR 1 Ditched Helicopter Rescue SOPs
Most helicopters have two engines, mounted in parallel and both driving the main rotor and the smaller,
vertical tail rotor. Helicopters can fly on one engine,
except for the first 10-15 seconds when the full thrust
of both engines is needed for take-off and to gain
enough altitude to operate safely. In the event a
helicopter loses power on one engine during take-off or
needs to land on water for any other reason, the pilot
can deploy inflatable flotation bags around the cabin
that will maintain the helicopter afloat and upright.
Roll-over danger
Helicopters are top-heavy due to location the engines
and gearbox above the passenger cabin. This means the
helicopter might roll over in case of excessive wave
action. Rescue crews must ensure all vessels in the
proximity create NO WAKE. Warn vessels of
opportunity to slow down.
Puncture danger
The inflatable bags are fragile and could be punctured
by sharp or hot objects (e.g. exhausts) on vessels
rendering assistance. If one bag deflates the helicopter
will likely roll over.
Rotor danger
Never approach a helicopter if the blades are still
turning. The pilot might attempt to “crab” the floating
helicopter to shore by using the remaining engine and
tilting the blades. Stay well away until the blades are
completely stopped. Once stationary the blades hang quite low, and crew should take care to
manoeuver around the blades to avoid vessel antennas and other superstructure items hitting the
blades. Note undamaged rotor blades can be turned by hand if the engines are switched off.
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Fire danger
If an engine catches fire or smoke comes out of the
engine air intakes or exhausts, use a fire extinguisher and
direct the jet into the intake marked accordingly. Do not
open the engine covers.
Life vests and life rafts
In BC helicopters carry life vests for every passenger and
crew member, but typically do not carry life rafts. The life
vests are generally located under the seats, and
passengers should be directed to don their life vests
before leaving the cabin. If the helicopter crew has
deployed a life raft, beware of any painters or drogues in
the water when approaching.
Extinguisher Here
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Approaching the helicopter
Slow down, avoid any wake. Wait for the blades to stop
rotating. Watch for people, painters or drogues in the
water. Ideally, approach the helicopter with a RHIB or
similarly “soft” vessel, perpendicular to the helicopter in
between the flotation bags. Beware of the rotor blades
as they may hit the rescue vessel superstructure.
Manually turn the blades out of the way if necessary.
If a life raft has been deployed, use it as a buffer between
the helicopter and the rescue vessel.
Remember the helicopter might roll over at any moment.
Be prepared to pull back at all times.
Opening doors
When the flotation bags are inflated it might be impossible to open the cabin doors. In this case either
jettison the door by removing the hinges, or remove the door window:
- If the doors are hinged: ask a helicopter crew
member or a passenger to remove the door
hinges. A handle behind a clearly marked panel
on the inside of the door must be turned or
pulled to remove the hinges. If the crew and
passengers are unresponsive, smash the door’s
window to access the hinge control. Helicopter
windows can easily be smashed with a boot or
axe.
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- For sliding doors: try to open the door by following the instructions on the outside of the door.
First unlock the small handle, then turn the large handle. Sliding doors typically pull outwards
first, then slide aft.
It is likely the door will not slide open when the
flotation bags are inflated. Break or remove the
door window and extract passengers through
the window.
Recovering passengers
It is likely some passengers will have left the helicopter by the time rescue vessels arrive on scene.
Follow standard procedures to recover people from the water, from life rafts or from the helicopter.
Make sure you keep a count of all people recovered, and check with them if they were indeed on the
helicopter. Check with any vessels of opportunity if further people were recovered.
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Stopping the engines
If the engines are still running they can be stopped by
pulling the two large handles in the centre of the roof of
the cockpit all the way back.
Towing a helicopter
Helicopters typically do not have strong towing hooks on the outside of the cabin. The easiest is to
jettison both front doors and to run a sling through the cockpit. Alternately, attach the tow line around
the helicopter tail and tow it backwards. Beware the helicopter is top heavy and therefore not very
stable on the water. Tow slowly and be prepared to cut the tow line at any time. Never tow a helicopter
with persons on board – evacuate all occupants before starting the tow procedure.
Version 1.1 – March 2014