Did you know a surf lifesaving service that helps from the air is based at Moruya?
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The Westpac Life Saver Rescue helicopter, called Lifesaver 23, recently underwent a $5 million refurbishment, STORY HERE.
Australian Community Media caught up with the Lifesaver 23 crew, who talked about their roles and routines.
Check out the video below.
Sam Wilson, pilot
What's your role? Pilot of the BK117 C1 - which is a Japanese helicopter with French engines. I have been here since June 2014.
Your daily tasks? Every day we make sure there are no possums in the helicopter. I check over the helicopter so it's ready for the day - you aren't always the pilot who was here yesterday. I check weather, service gear and sit down for a briefing.
What's your handiest tool? There's things you need every day for flying but then there are others which are tools. The handiest would be a gizmo that helps us detect a beacon or emergency locator transmitters (known as EPIRBs). It confirms we are in the right area.
Career highlight? Every rescue is a highlight. When you get a good outcome from dragging someone out of the surf or off rocks, trapped. They aren't always in a good way, but when they are still looking at you when you arrive and you deliver them safely to the ambulance and see their parents waiting - that's pretty special knowing you have made a difference.
Brad Nagy, aircrew officer
Your experience/qualifications? My initial qualifications I earned back in the Army flying as aircrew and loadmaster for about five years. When it was time to leave the military, I got my first civilian rescue job in Rockhampton. It has been a continuation of flight hours and accumulating experience to get to a level to apply for jobs that are going in the industry.
Daily routine? I plug in ground power, which is a portable power cart to save the aircraft's onboard battery. I check out the winch and run the cable out, making sure it is good to go. Making sure the emergency gear is on board, checking my own gear and harness, jacket. I check the fuel stocks and do some fuel sampling. We send out status reports to various tasking agencies and emergency services.
Your handiest tool? The winch, which is installed on the left-hand side, allowing me to winch people out and in. It has 90 metres of usable cable.
Ned Larson, rescue crew officer
What's your role and qualifications? It's medical related and fitness related in terms of rescuing people. I have been with a surf club since Nippers and progressed from there, completing every qualification I could. I have been working here for 2.5 years and completed about 20 rescues. I am also studying paramedicine to deliver a better level of care to my patients which will make me a happy man.
Your daily routine?: I start with a swim or jog, then come in to work to check my gear and equipment. I check the weather to see if there's anything we need to be cautious of or any water events in the area we need to be on high alert for. Throughout the day I brush up on my medical skills.
What's your handiest tool? A snatch and grab, which is a valuable asset in the helicopter. It is attached to me and hooks underneath the arms of the patient, bringing us back up together. By the time I get to the patient, it is about a three-second rescue - you don't want to be down there for more than five seconds.
