TecPilot,
The incident you describe with the unconscious lady falling from the strop simply wouldn't happen here due to the way we operate.
You stated that she lost consciousness on the way up to the a/c & was wet. I suspect that she lost consciousness due to Post Immersion Collapse, something we prevent by placing a second strop under the knees, thereby lifting the casualty in a horizontal position & avoiding the problem altogether.
Furthermore, unlike the scenario you describe, the casualty would be placed in the strops by a winchman/aircrewman. He would then accompany the casualty during the lift to the aircraft. Were any problem to develop the winchman can easily tighten the strops around the casualty, or use a physical grip. After 9 years as a Winchman and thousands of lifts, from both mountainous & maritime environments, I have not experienced even ONE problem with this tried, tested & reliable piece of equipment. Believe me, if we found a problem we would amend our SOPs.
Your comments are unfounded Sir, though I accept well intentioned. It is always useful to see how other agencies & nationalities operate to achieve the same end. However one only has to look at the huge diversity of SOPs adopted to realize there are many ways to 'skin the cat'
No one can know for sure yet, but it is likely that the injured MRT member was either only partially in the strop (i.e. on the ground taking the strop off) and was pulled off the side of the hill by the a/cs unscheduled & sporty departure, or he made a conscious decision to get out of the strop & accept a fall rather than accompany the a/c and suffer even more serious injuries.
Anyone know how the injured party is doing? Last I heard he'd been transferred to Manchester.
I have the Honour to be, Sir,
Yadayadayadayada...
Last edited by snaggletooth; 20th May 2004 at 13:01.