HELICOPTER RESCUE
LIFELINE FROM ABOVE
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El Dorado Search and Rescue significantly enhanced its helicopter rescue capabilities with the acquisition of "Echo 1" by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) in November 2023.
Capable of holding six individuals total and piloted by El Dorado County Sheriff's highly experienced veteran flight crew with military experience, Echo 1's primary intended use is search and rescue in remote areas.
An Airbus H-125, Echo 1 is outfitted with state-of-the-art technology that includes advanced navigation systems, infrared cameras, night vision equipment, a 200-foot beam light, and a hoist system.
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Helicopter Echo 1
EDSAR & Echo 1 rescue an injured hiker from Lake Angora
Since its introduction, Echo 1 has already proven its value by successfully executing numerous search and rescue missions across El Dorado County's vast and varied terrain.
The helicopter is capable of reaching high altitude flying as fast as 126 miles per hour, making it possible to quickly deploy resources to challenging or difficult to reach areas when minutes matter.
Echo 1’s speed, agility, and versatility have significantly reduced response times and improved outcomes in critical situations that include medical evacuations in the backcountry, hoisting hikers and climbers in trouble in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and rescuing distressed, stranded swimmers or boaters in swift water.
EDSAR volunteers receive training in Basic Aircraft Safety and Helicopter Rescue Awareness, covering safe aircraft approach and operation. Training opportunities with EDSO's Echo 1 or partner helicopters include patient packaging and transfer procedures, including both hot (engines running) and cold (engines off) loading and unloading for air ambulance transport.
Members of the Helicopter Rescue Team undergo advanced skills training and certification that includes:
Searcher Hot Loading & Unloading: Basic entry/exit, weight and balance distribution, door operation, passenger and cargo restraints (seat belts and harnesses, securing packs/gear)
Searcher Insertion and Extraction: STEP (Single Skid, Toe-In, and Hover Exit/Entry) procedures and practice exiting and entering the helicopter quickly.
Hoist Operations: Hands-on experience using rescue harnesses and essential equipment to package, lift, and lower patients and personnel in difficult terrain.
Water Operations: Skills in conducting rescues on or near water bodies, including water landings and water rescues.
Medical Training: Knowledge of emergency medical procedures, including CPR, first aid, and patient stabilization.
Aircraft Emergency Procedures: Training in responding to various helicopter emergency situations, such as engine failures, hydraulic failures, and other critical events.
Helicopter Rescue Team members are qualified Type 1 Searchers who spend exhaustive hours training since they must also demonstrate proficiency with Ground Search, Technical Rope Rescue, and Water Rescue techniques.
Hoist operations training practice with CHP to safely insert and extract searchers
Practice hot loading (rotors running) a patient into CALSTAR's Air Ambulance
In-flight helicopter skills training practice with Sacramento Metropolitan Fire
Every minute counts in a life-or-death situation.
Your donation will help us fund critical training for our Helicopter Rescue Team and supporting teams on the ground so they can respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies requiring helicopter rescue. Help us save lives in El Dorado County by investing in this essential life-saving services.
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