HELICOPTER RESCUE

LIFELINE FROM ABOVE

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

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Helicopter Echo 1

El Dorado Search and Rescue and El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Helicopter Echo 1 rescue an injured hiker from Lake Angora

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:

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.

El Dorado Search and Rescue hoist operations training practice to safely insert and extract searchers by helicopter

Hoist operations training practice with CHP to safely insert and extract searchers

El Dorado Search and Rescue Practice Hot Loading a Patient into CALSTAR's Air Ambulance

Practice hot loading (rotors running) a patient into CALSTAR's Air Ambulance

El Dorado Search and Rescue in-flight helicopter skills training practice with Sacramento Metropolitan Fire

In-flight helicopter skills training practice with Sacramento Metropolitan Fire

Image of two hands holding a red heart that has the logo for El Dorado County Search and Rescue with text at the bottom in red that says "CLICK TO DONATE"

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.