Non pc plod, thanks for giving me an insight into how a HEMS/SAR Crew work. Good information that I should have known when pulling casualties from that very location. As several others have said time and time again in many threads it's about patient care!! I've been sat in the ops room many times listening to agencies trying to complete a job that quite clearly needs a winch equiped aircraft only to be called some time later when realize that they cannot actually extract the casualty. Let's remember it's the golden HOUR!!
As for envelope pushing. I wonder when Steve last practiced ridge approaches and landings? Qualified rear crew there to talk him down? Able to put down smoke for wind finding?
We know it worked out this time but I just hope next time we don't get the excuse "but we've done it before" and it ends up biting them.