Every single day, through all the ups and downs of life, our team’s experience, training and equipment are put to the test – and never more so than during challenging winch rescues.
No rescue is ever the same – and winch rescues often take place in the most hostile terrain or hazardous weather conditions. Our pilots and aircrew officers have to carefully assess the risks and formulate the safest, workable plan, right there on the spot, to extract the patient from their dangerous situation. Then, with immeasurable skill, the pilot holds the chopper steady, while the winch operator lowers a doctor, paramedic or rescue crew officer down to the patient.
When someone is sick or injured, winch rescues bring specialised medical care to people in even the most inaccessible places. Often, when there isn’t a moment to waste.
“Nothing is like a helicopter and a winch for saving lives... They’ll winch people out of the bush, off the sides of mountains, out of the water.”
Rhys Weaver, LifeFlight Engineer
Life-saving winch rescues are only possible because of the extensive training and experience of our dedicated crew members, our state-of-the-art and expertly-maintained aircraft and equipment, and the flawless communication and teamwork that takes place between our teams on the ground and in the air.
But it’s not all about the rescues. Back at the hangars, our team of engineers have the crucial job of making sure LifeFlight’s aircraft and equipment are ready for the next life-saving rescue. LifeFlight wouldn’t get off the ground without people like Rhys behind the scenes.
Did you know? For every hour a helicopter is in the air, it will need four to six hours of maintenance. We rely heavily on the generous support of Queenslanders to keep our equipment maintained and our crews trained, equipped and ready to save lives day after day, through all the ups and downs of life.
Donate to help keep our aircraft well-equipped, maintained and ready to go when it matters the most.
“Nothing is like a helicopter and a winch for saving lives... They’ll winch people out of the bush, off the sides of mountains, out of the water.”
Rhys Weaver, LifeFlight Engineer
Life-saving winch rescues are only possible because of the extensive training and experience of our dedicated crew members, our state-of-the-art, expertly-maintained aircraft and equipment, and the flawless communication and teamwork that takes place between our teams on the ground and in the air.
But it’s not all about the rescues. Back at the hangars, our team of engineers have the crucial job of making sure LifeFlight’s aircraft and equipment are ready for the next life-saving rescue. LifeFlight wouldn’t get off the ground without people like Rhys behind the scenes.
Did you know? For every hour a helicopter is in the air, it will need four to six hours of maintenance. We rely heavily on the generous support of Queenslanders to keep our equipment maintained and our crews trained, equipped and ready to save lives day after day, through all the ups and downs of life.
Donate to help keep our aircraft well-equipped, maintained and ready to go when it matters the most.
Learn about the impact your donation means for our crews and aircraft:
| $50 | an Emergency Breathing System (EBS) vest for EBS training, which teaches our crews how to survive an emergency water landing. |
|---|---|
| $100 | a water safety helmet for helicopter underwater escape training. |
| $230 | enough fuel to power an RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter for approximately 100km. |
| $400 | a cooling vest to be worn under Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). |
| $900 | an Emergency Breathing System bottle, an important piece of safety equipment for crews in an emergency. |
