T1981

CareFlight QLD run a crewman course, winch training etc.

I have heard RotorLift in Tassie might also - not sure though? Rotorlift are also an NVG training school which may be a good qual to have given the way the EMS industry is going.

Not sure of who else.

So far as prerequistes, I don't think there are any....except a little bit of money:O

Turkey

How would I best pursue a career as this and is it open to officers aswell? Would you become a clearance diver first before volunteering for this role or how else would you become a rearcrew in a position to take up this role? Thanks

RN rating rearcrew are recruited from within the serving ranks, so you need to join the RN in any role as a rating (ie not as an officer) and apply from within. Best you go to the recruiting office and ask how long it takes a) to join and b) before you can apply for a transfer. The SAR diver role has been withdrawn - the aircrewman trade is now the only RN rating rearcrew role. The vast majority are streamed to anti-submarine (Merlin and Sea King) or Jungly (SK).

Officer aircrew only train as pilots and observers, and observers (similar to the RAF WSO) on a SAR flight don't get to leave the aircraft.

Ok thanks for the help. I had read somewhere that they might have been withdrawn but couldn't find any information to confirm it. Do you think this will be forever or is it just while re-structuring is taking place or something? Who (if anyone) carries out the work that the SAR Divers did around our coastline now? Thank you

What are peoples views on FB Heliservices and there ab-initio crewman training?

I am considering going with them as they are based in the UK failing that it will be off down under!

Shetlander

I think that FB Heliservices supply some contractors to the military but am not aware that they supply courses to guys off the street, I may be wrong!! The company has a lot of good guys working for it so if you do go there you will get good instruction.

I do not wish to be rude, but how much homework have you done on this subject? There are lots of different ideas of what a crewman is.

Heads down, look out for the flack

Didn't know FB Heliservices had started ab-initio crewman training for individuals?? I think Shetlander is referring to the winchman training they do in valley for SARTU! Unless your a Paramedic Shetlander your options are extremely limited....

And how is the grand plan to take paramedics and turn them into winchmen going at CHC? Has airmanship and aviation awareness been an issue by any chance - just like some of us forecast:)

I think it is relevant to the thread and pertinent to those seeking employment in this field - just being a paramedic is most certainly not enough to become a winchman - there is so much more than dangling on the wire and treating casualties.

Iron

For Petes sake lay off knocking Crab. You're an engineer, you should stick to it because on matters of rear crew selection, aptitude and training you don't know what you are talking about. I've been involved in this at all levels for over 30 years and believe me you are not covering yourself in glory with some of your comments!!

Totally agree !

Good man Lost, you tell him. A pilot being told by an engineer he does not know what he is talking about when it comes to winchman selection and the paramedic skills.As if Crab does not know everything about everything. Stop. Is that the sound of a shredder I hear.:ok:

As our resident SAR guru, Crab knows all there is to know about hanging on the end of the wire and working with casualties. He does it on a regular basis when he isn't instructing someone up the front, flying SAROPS from the right hand seat and of course spouting forth on just about everything that crops up on pprune. Jack of all trades is our Crab!

Wiretensioner

Did I say just being a paramedic was enough??? Shetlander wants to become a crewman! i'm just pointing him in the right direction! So crab anything else ya want to give out about???

futuresar

He wasn't having a go at you or anything you've said. Read the SAR-H to go thread from about last autumn.

Iron - my comments have nothing to do with SARH - CHC are currently trying to train paramedics to become winchmen, something many of us feel is the wrong way of doing things.

SARH will have to take fully trained winchmen (a lot from the Services) to start with and will have its own training setup at Valley to train new ones.

I have been involved in training helicopter rearcrew quite a lot over the last 28 years, from SH crewmen at Shawbury to winch ops and winchmen at SARTU and door gunners at Middle Wallop - if you don't think that gives me the right to comment on training practices then I dont know what will.

Crab

I have read, with total open mindedness, your posts on this and other threads. Indeed, on other posts, I have often been an advocate of yours.
However, why wont you simply admit that you intended to 'Lure' ill felt debate on the issue of training Paramedics as rear crew in order to bolster your perpetual slander of the developments of SAR-H, and all who sail in her!

You are manipulating this thread for your ill felt gains and I for one wish you would have the kahoonahs to admit it.

Regarding the issue of training street Paramedics to become aircrew. I am a total supporter of it. The 'black art' of becoming rearcrew is one that can most definitely be learnt by off the street, suitably qualified civilians who, with careful recruitment, structured training and development could positively enhance the rank and file of the rearcrew world

RS

How many years does it take to train a good person to be a paramedic?
How many weeks does it take to train a good person to be a crewman?:confused:

Well I reckon it depends on the calibre of crewman you want on your aircraft Nigel but a direct entrant RAF winchman isn't going to be going operational much before two years of training are completed. That's 104 weeks to you!:ok:

I agree with RS with regards of Paramedics becomin rear crew! and I can see that as the way forward in SAR! Vie sans Frontieres-2 years to become a winchman??? sure it takes 2 years to complete the most basic Paramedic Training!!