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Hiline training keeps emergency services ‘rescue ready’

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It had all the elements of a real rescue – overcast sky, rough seas, a person in trouble and a hero.

In fact, three sets of heroes – a NSW Ambulance Critical Care Paramedic, the team aboard the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and NSW Police Marine Command.

All were involved in a multi-disciplinary interagency training exercise off Norah Head, part of the annual water and vessel proficiency check.

On the end of the line was NSW Ambulance Critical Care Paramedic Adam Butt, who admits the training is one of the most challenging winching operations faced.

“Every person involved, the pilot, aircrew officer, those on the vessel deck, require a high amount of coordination for success, so teamwork is vital,’ Adam said.

“It’s training at a high intensity, with complexity rivalling what you’d face operationally.”

For WRHS Training and Checking aircrew officer Kris Larkin the simulated rescue was a chance to practice a procedure that requires a high degree of precision.

“We wanted to replicate the actual conditions we would undertake that operation in. It is one of the most dynamic operations because you’ve got the boat moving, the aircraft moving, and then the load has to be supported during the procedure making it all very difficult,” Kris said.

The training procedure he refers to is known as a hiline vessel transfer, in which hiline stands for ‘heaving in line’, with a line used to stabilise a load.

It is a technique used to insert and extract personnel and equipment from a small vessel while it is underway.

Also taking part in the exercise was NSW Police Marine Command team member Matt Slattery.

“We had five crew onboard and for us it was good practice to undertake the communication and techniques we’d need to employ with other agencies to make it successful,” he said.

“It’s easier to conduct rescues in calmer waters but when the incident occurs it’s usually in poor weather or rough seas so training in challenging environments prepares us for when the job is actually called upon.”

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