Tallsars comment "but there is still more to be done" was bang-on; read the following article to see how things can (nearly) go pear-shaped if good decisions aren't made in good time. And very-well-done to the R169 crew who persevered under such difficult conditions.
Article from This is North Devon
Low fuel adds drama to helicopter's cliff rescue
Rescue watch is a weekly column about the work of North Devon's RNLI and RAF rescue teams. This week it's the Chivenor search and rescue team.
THE Chivenor helicopter has so far been called out 15 times this month, but despite being quiet in terms of the number of rescues, there have been some eventful and challenging ones.
Probably the stand out rescue came on November 10 when rescue 169 was called away from a training trip to a man who had fallen while climbing on a coastal cliff near Cardiff.
The crew, who were airborne on a training sortie, offered assistance to the coastguard after hearing of the incident on the radios.
A nearby air ambulance had been tasked by ambulance control and the coast guard stood Rescue 169 down.
The air ambulance arrived and managed to deploy their paramedic by hovering with one skid on the bottom of the cliff and the paramedic jumping out. He was unable to take all the necessary kit due to the treacherous location of the casualty and the risky technique used to get to the aid of the injured climber.
As Rescue 169 returned to training, they sought assurance on the radio that the evacuation of the climber was possible by the air ambulance.
Ten minutes later Rescue 169 was re-tasked as the casualty needed to be winched.
The casualty was at the base of 30ft cliffs, in a small rocky bay, with the advancing tide quickly approaching the casualty's position.
It wouldn't be long before the casualty's location was completely submerged.
The on scene paramedic had quickly assessed that the casualty had serious head injuries, a possible fractured pelvis and was drifting in and out of consciousness.
Rescue 169 arrived on scene, but due to the delayed call and the fact they had been conducting flying training, they were running very short of fuel.
The initial plan was to winch down the winchman/paramedic with the necessary kit, and while he was preparing the casualty to be winched, the aircraft would make a quick dash to St Athan Airfield in Cardiff for fuel before returning and completing the rescue. It soon became apparent that this would not be possible.
As the crew prepared to deploy the winchman, the incoming tide began lapping around the casualty and there was no time for fuel.
There was a simple choice to make, either go for fuel and let the man almost certainly drown or complete the rescue at the risk of running out of fuel before making it to an airfield.
With this in mind, the winchman worked as quickly as possible, stabilising the casualty and securing him in the stretcher. Twice his equipment was washed off the rock by large waves, with him and the casualty now soaking wet through as the waves were breaking over them.
With all the low fuel warnings sounding and lights flashing in the cockpit, the hook was deployed to recover the winchman and casualty, but there was not even enough time to recover them to the aircraft.
Instead they were hoisted, crane-like to the top of the cliff where the aircraft left them with the awaiting air ambulance and made a mad dash towards St Athan for fuel.
It was at this point that the crew knew they couldn't make it and had to land the aircraft in a field some eight miles short of the airfield with absolutely no spare fuel left.
The local farmer was very understanding of the crew's situation and provided plenty of tea while the crew waited for a fuel bowser from RAF Lyneham to come and save the day.
As this is the last Rescue Watch of the year from Chivenor, can we also take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and and best wishes for the New Year.
PS: Don't forget to wave to Santa Claus who often comes to fly with us on the days leading up to Christmas.
Seaweed