Elevating realism at altitude

In the high-risk, high-altitude world of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), realism in training isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. Whether you're hoisting a patient from a mountainside, stabilizing trauma mid-flight, or coordinating care during a winch rescue over open water, every decision counts. With limited chances to replicate these scenarios in real life, Ruth Lee Ltd – global leader in rescue training manikins – is redefining what it means to prepare for the unpredictable.

MISSION-READY FOR AIR RESCUE: TRAUMA AND WATER RESCUE MANIKINS

Trusted by air ambulance crews, search and rescue (SAR) teams, and military medevac units worldwide, Ruth Lee manikins are built to meet the unforgiving demands of helicopter-based rescue operations.

The Trauma Rescue Manikin is engineered specifically for environments where speed, accuracy, and realism matter most, making it indispensable for air crews training for extrications from confined spaces, vehicle crashes, remote terrain, and tactical insertions. Constructed with realistic weight distribution and a number of trauma features (such as a large open thigh laceration), it is an ideal training tool for helicopter transport, and complex casualty handling.

The Advanced Water Rescue Manikin offers a revolutionary dual-function design – crafted for both in-water rescue, and on-deck or on-shore resuscitation. This makes it the only manikin capable of transitioning seamlessly from winch recovery to advanced life support training. For helicopter crews operating over water, this represents a vital leap forward. Drowning scenarios often involve hypothermia, water inhalation, and potential spinal injuries, requiring nuanced pre-hospital intervention. The manikin enables teams to rehearse this full chain of survival – from recovery through to airway management, ventilations, and compressions – while contending with real-world variables such as limited space, and environmental exposure.

BLENDING REALITY AND TECHNOLOGY: RL360 MIXED REALITY

Taking training to the next level, Ruth Lee’s RL360 platform introduces mixed reality (MR) into the cockpit, cabin, and beyond. Designed for environments where split-second clinical judgment is critical, RL360 enhances manikin-based training by overlaying dynamic digital skins on top of training manikins. The first RL360 module, Trauma Lens, tackles scenarios frequently encountered by HEMS teams, including:

• Rapid neurological assessment using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

• Airway auscultation – especially important during transport or in noisy environments

• Identification and control of life-threatening bleeding. By wearing MR headsets, flight crews and medics can observe several different symptoms to help them make clinical assessment of their patient – training not just actions, but decision-making under pressure.

Future updates will expand RL360’s scope to include primary survey protocols, emergency triage, and mass casualty response, ensuring it remains aligned with the evolving needs of rotary-wing operations.

TRAINING FOR WHAT CAN’T BE SIMULATED – UNTIL NOW

In helicopter rescue, there’s no room for trial and error. Whether performing a hoist at 200ft or stabilizing a critical patient during transport, preparation is the key to survival. Ruth Lee is helping HEMS and SAR professionals train with purpose, realism, and precision – bridging the gap between classroom and cockpit.

With rugged manikins built for the air and sea, and technology that brings human physiology to life, Ruth Lee is elevating training to new heights – so your team is ready when it matters most.

Explore more at www.ruthlee.com.