ADAC Air Rescue offers hoist rescue training

The training program, organized by the Sanderbusch air rescue station, includes deployment scenarios on the open sea, at the entrance to the Hooksiel outer harbor, at the Hooksielplate radar tower and in the forest on the Hooksmeer. The ADAC rescue helicopter ‘Christoph 26’ stationed in Sanderbusch remains fully operational during the twelve-day training. The training flights are carried out with an additional helicopter.

“In order to be well prepared for highly demanding winch rescue missions, we train twice a year. Every crewmember is present for at least one appointment,” explained Station Pilot Johannes Faulstich, who co-ordinates the program.

Covid-19 makes training difficult

Covid-19 is making training conditions more difficult this year. Since infection protection is the top priority at ADAC Air Rescue, operations are carried out under strict safety measures. This includes daily tests, mask requirements and a reduced number of participants.

For rescue by winch from a ship on the open sea, at least one ship from the Lower Saxony water police or the federal government is on site every day. At the entrance to the Hooksiel outer harbor, the crews train winch rescues from the narrow, uneven pier. They need these skills to rescue injured mudflat hikers, for example. Recovering from confusing terrain is on the agenda in the forest on the Hooksmeer. Through the dense treetops, the rescuers can barely see where the victim, for example a forest worker after an accident at work, is.

Rescuing voluntary swimmers from the water

The German Life Saving Society (DLRG) provides voluntary swimmers who mimic people in the water. Motorboats from the DLRG and the Technical Relief Organization transport the swimmers and secure them from the water until they are rescued from the sea by the air rescuer on the helicopter winch.

Recently, the ADAC Academy, an international training center for helicopter pilots and medical crews, appointed a new management team.