A bit of useful rescue helicopter / PLB info
Posted: Thu 22 Apr, 2010 10:57 am
Yesterday I had the need to attend the Hobart airport. On the way out, and since I was there, I called on on Rotorlift and had a chat to them about the rescue helicopter, basically wanting to know what to do if I do have to set off a PLB.
A few useful things I found out...
I already knew that the less tree cover the better for reception with the PLB.
If you put down a space blanket (shiny side up) or emergency foil bag and position the PLB on that, the signal that bounces out will bounce straight up and improve the chances of successful transmission to the satellites. Note to make sure the sheet is anchored well, the last thing you would want is for the foil sheet to blow over and cover up the PLB, preventing it from working.
A small gap in the trees is better than no gap in the trees when it comes to the winch... But obviously the clearer the better.
The guys fly with night vision goggles. These magnify light by 6000 times.
This makes night rescue possible. When it's dark, a light source such as that of the backlight of a mobile phone, a cigarette lighter, a small fire, a head torch, whatever... All stand out as really bright hot spots on the night vision. So don't rely on the PLB, if you hear the chopper coming for you, start waving the head torch or the backlight of the mobile phone display, or whatever you have.
It's a really impressive chopper they've got, I was lucky enough to have them show me up close, even opened up the back door to show how an ambulance stretcher can slide in.
It's a lot bigger when you're up close to it. I hope that's as close as I ever get to it (I hope I never need it).
EDIT, a bit more info...
I was talking to AMSA, asking if they would like to contribute anything to this discussion, they directed me to this link and advised pretty much anything worth knowing is found on this link -
http://beacons.amsa.gov.au/
They said to feel free to add their beacon registration help line number, which is 1800 406 406
Pretty easy to remember.
The number to call if you accidentally activate your beacon and need to cancel it, is found in red on the right side of this page -
http://www.amsa.gov.au/index.asp
They said either the maritime or aviation one would do, it goes through to the coordination centre in Canberra.
A few useful things I found out...
I already knew that the less tree cover the better for reception with the PLB.
If you put down a space blanket (shiny side up) or emergency foil bag and position the PLB on that, the signal that bounces out will bounce straight up and improve the chances of successful transmission to the satellites. Note to make sure the sheet is anchored well, the last thing you would want is for the foil sheet to blow over and cover up the PLB, preventing it from working.
A small gap in the trees is better than no gap in the trees when it comes to the winch... But obviously the clearer the better.
The guys fly with night vision goggles. These magnify light by 6000 times.
This makes night rescue possible. When it's dark, a light source such as that of the backlight of a mobile phone, a cigarette lighter, a small fire, a head torch, whatever... All stand out as really bright hot spots on the night vision. So don't rely on the PLB, if you hear the chopper coming for you, start waving the head torch or the backlight of the mobile phone display, or whatever you have.
It's a really impressive chopper they've got, I was lucky enough to have them show me up close, even opened up the back door to show how an ambulance stretcher can slide in.
It's a lot bigger when you're up close to it. I hope that's as close as I ever get to it (I hope I never need it).
EDIT, a bit more info...
I was talking to AMSA, asking if they would like to contribute anything to this discussion, they directed me to this link and advised pretty much anything worth knowing is found on this link -
http://beacons.amsa.gov.au/
They said to feel free to add their beacon registration help line number, which is 1800 406 406
Pretty easy to remember.
The number to call if you accidentally activate your beacon and need to cancel it, is found in red on the right side of this page -
http://www.amsa.gov.au/index.asp
They said either the maritime or aviation one would do, it goes through to the coordination centre in Canberra.