3-50 Flashcards
SAR Coordinator
Rescue coordination centers (RCCs) established worldwide who shall be kept informed of search progress.
USCG Station Savannah and Clearwater
SAR Mission Coordinator
- SMC designated by SAR coordinator
- OTC or unit designated by OTC shall assume SMC
- Duties outlined in IAMSAR
- USCG Jacksonville
On-Scene Commander
- Shall be designated by SMC
- First unit to arrive on scene or unit with the best capability
- Duties outlined in IAMSAR
Considerations when marking the survivor’s position
- Should fuel be evident or suspected in the water, smoke flares should not be used. Flares may ignite the fuel.
- Use caution not to strike survivor when deploying marking device from aircraft.
- Avoid dropping smoke flares upwind of survivor as fumes are caustic.
- Deploy two smoke or sea markers
- DIFAR sonobuoy may be used to mark survivors by maritime patrol aircraft. Tune RF 15 and use directions finder.
The crew should consider either recovery or short-hauling the RS between multiple survivors if the following conditions exist:
- A sea state of greater than 2
- Night/IMC
- More than 25 yds. between survivors
Where shall the survivor be placed in reference to the aircraft if a parachute is in the rescue area?
one rotor-diameter width outside the rotor wash
Rescue swimmer deployment considerations and requirements (PDFS TSP)
3-50 (PDF):
- Preditors
- Debris
- Fire
- Sea state
NATOPS (TSP):
- Temperature of water
- Survivor condition
- Proximity to other units
Requirements per 3-50
- The RS shall enter the water in all cases except when the HAC determines that the circumstances will endanger the RS unnecessarily.
Direct deployment procedures shall not be used when?
If the survivor still has a parachute attached.
When shall the RS be deployed via the hoist? When is it recommended?
Required:
- Night / IMC / Low-visibility
- If any other hazards exist in the vicinity
- At discretion of HAC
Recommended:
- In Douglas Sea State of 3 or greater (NATOPS)
What happens after the command “RIG FOR RESCUE”?
HO and RS unbuckle from seats and immediately don gunner’s belts. RS dresses out while HO rigs for rescue:
- Don heavy-duty hoisting gloves
- Prepare smoke markers
- Ensure rescue hoist is armed and operational
- Prepare rescue equipment as needed
- Open cabin door
What happens after the command “STANDBY TO DEPLOY SWIMMER”?
- HO shall maintain a hold on RS’s harness with one hand, and with the other, signal the RS to release crewman safety belt by tapping RS once on the chest.
- RS will give a thumbs up to the HO when ready to deploy.
- “SWIMMER READY” after final inspection of RS
Where shall the PAC establish the aircraft for swimmer free fall deployments in heavy sea states?
in a 15-foot hover above the crest of the waves
On the PAC’s third “JUMP” command, the HO operator shall…
- Check the area clear of debris
- Tap the RS three times on the shoulder
How does the rig for rescue checklist differ for Night/IMC?
- All rescue equipment must be properly illuminated with chem lights
- The RS, rescue strop, and rescue hook shall be illuminated by a chem light
What is required in the event of loss of visual contact with the RS and/or survivor?
HAC shall cycle the flood/hover light and the RS and/or survivor shall illuminate the strobe light or MK-124 Mod 0 flare.
Direct Deployment uses (SWISH)
- Surf zone
- Winds (high)
- Ice
- Swift water
- Heavy seas
Direct Deployment is recommended (per NATOPS) when?
Recommended when sea states or proximity to obstacles prohibit the swimmer from safety approaching the survivor.
Direct Deployment shall only be utilized when?
The crew has determined that it is the safest method of recovery.
Direct Deployment constraints
- Shall not be used if survivor entangled in a parachute
- Should not be used on ejected survivors
- Should not be used on combative survivors
Define direct deployment
- RS never unhooks from the RH during the entire rescue evolution.
- RS is wearing the Tri-SAR harness with a quick-strop assembly
During DD, how far should the RS be placed from the survivor?
No farther than 2-3 feet. This can be accomplished by stopping RS approx. 10’ above water and then direct PIC to put aircraft in position.
Define physical grip
- RS engages the survivor without using a recovery device
- RS and survivor never hoist higher than an altitude necessary during the entire repositioning/transport evolution
When is the “Physical Grip” procedure used?
- When traditional DD means would cause undue danger to the swimmer in initial contact area
- Swimmer cannot be recovered without compromising a stable position of recovery
- Shall only be used when crew has determined that it is the safest method of extracting survivor from the extreme point of recovery site.
- Used for REPOSITIONING ONLY, no hoist greater than 10’ over water
The rescue strop is primarily used on ___________________.
- non-aviator / civilian survivors
- uninjured personnel
The collapsible rescue basket is the preferred rescue device for…
- Survivors (military and civilian) with injuries that do not require a litter
- Frail/elderly survivors
- Small framed survivors
The rescue net is used as a rescue device primary for…
multiple survivors (up to 2)
The rescue seat is primarily used for…
self-recovery of aviators without the assistance of a RS
WARNING: Only one survivor, or one survivor accompanied by a RS, shall be hoisted at one time.
The trail line assembly is mandatory for which rescue device?
the MEDEVAC litter
What is the color coding for properly connecting the rescue litter sling assemblies to the Stokes litter?
Red – head
White – feet
Hover position for Stokes litter recovery
No closer than one rotor diameter outside the rotor wash area
Which way does the litter enter the cabin? How is the trail line recovered?
Litter should enter the cabin feet first.
HO recovers trail line hand-over-hand
What is the recommended altitude/airspeed for deploying a multiplace life raft (MPLR)?
10/10 or 15/0
Note: Life rafts are neutrally buoyant (float about 1’ under the water). Consider attaching an inflated life vest and chem lights to the raft to help survivor in locating it.
In the event of a jammed rescue hoist, how shall the gunner’s belt be fed over the RH boom?
Aft to forward due to the close proximity of the RH boom to the No.2 engine intake.
Forms the Chicago Grip
Altitude/airspeed following jammed hoist procedures
During transit, it is recommended that the personnel on the RH be no higher than 30’ AGL and no faster than single engine airspeed.
The hoist quick splice plate is rigged in what emergency?
in the event of a severed RH cable
How is the RH cable cut in the event it severs?
- Use strong tape and tightly wind it around the desired area to be cut
- Cut cable directly below the tape
The hoist quick splice plate may not engage the ______________.
RH upper limit switch. Separation of the quick splice / RH cable is possible when the quick splice plate assembly reaches the upper limit switch of the RH.
When is the rescue boat the best choice as the SRU?
- Recovery of a noncompliant survivor
- Large number of survivors
- < 300’ or lower overcast / 1-mile vis
Name the two hoisting methods used during surface vessel MEDEVAC
- Plumb hover - hover over transfer point and use RH
- Trail Line - port side hover using litter and trail line
List the three approaches used by the RS
- Rear surface - most common
- Front surface - unconscious survivors
- Noncompliant - panicked survivor
An unconscious survivor is assumed to have what injuries?
injury to head, neck, or back
Aircrew who eject from aircraft are presumed to have _________ injuries.
spinal
The following conditions shall be met before the survivor is considered safe:
(SAFE)
(SAFE)
- Signal device - if at night, RS should attached lighting device to survivor
- Apparent life-threatening injuries - survivor is breathing with no immediate, life-threatening injuries
- Floatation - survivor wearing operable floatation or is in life raft
- Entanglement - free of entanglement and not attached to parachute
Two categories of noncompliant survivors
- Panicked - desires to be rescued but is in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar environment
- Combative - may not initially desire to be rescued and may actively resist assistance
Combative survivor procedures / considerations
- RS shall not be deployed to recover enemy or hostile survivors armed with weapons.
- Direct deployment should not be used
- Rescue boat is the preferred SRU. If using RS, consider help from rescue boat or second RS.
Helicopter recovery of an enemy or hostile survivor should only be used under conditions of _____________________.
operational necessity
From RS deployment to survivor recovery, how long does it take for a Stokes litter recovery?
10-30 minutes depending on environmental conditions and proficiency of RS
List the 5 overland SAR rescue methods
- Landing to effect a rescue
- Landing via one or two wheels
- Rescue via hoist
- Rappelling, short haul
- Direct deployment
Gear required for rescue by landing
- Hand-held radio
- Level A/B SAR med kit
- Litter
Short-haul airspeed restriction
40 KIAS
When is the RS helmet required?
- At night
- Douglas sea state of 3 or more
- Debris in water
Rescue strop is primarily designed as a rescue device for…
uninjured personnel
Fully rigged, how much does the SAR MEDEVAC litter weigh?
40 lbs.
The hoisting vest is used for…
shipboard transfer of personnel, NOT for water rescues
List the components of the SAR curtain
- 6 HI chem lights
- 6 GP chem lights
- 3 electric sea markers
- 3 chem light straps
- 3 gunner’s belts
- 1 cable grip
- 1 cable cutter
- 1 quick splice
- 1 heavy duty hoisting gloves
- Litter sling assembly
- Trail line assembly
- Rescue strop
- Quick strop
- PRC 149 radio
List the components of the raft bag
- 5 LRU-1 / SRU-37
- 3 LPU-32
- 3 cranial
- 2 wool blankets
What emergency is the cable grip used for? What is it rated to?
The cable grip is attached to the aircrew gunner’s belt to take the weight of the hoist load off the hoist brake assembly during a hoist failure.
The cable grip is capable of supporting 1,000 lbs.
Used in conjunction with a gunner’s belt to make the Chicago grip.
What type of chem lights do we have?
- 6 hour general purpose in 4” (green)
- 12 hour general purpose in 6” (green)
- 30-min high intensity (yellow)
What does the trail line assembly consist of?
- 120’ of 3/8” polyethylene or polypropylene rope
- A weak link with 450 lbs of breaking strength
- 5 lb shot bag
- V-straps
What survival items are on the LPU-32/P? How much buoyancy does it provide?
Survival items:
- Sea-dye marker
- Whistle
- Chem light
Buoyancy = minimum 40 lbs.
MK-25 Smoke
- 10-20 minute burn time
- Day or night use
- Shall not be launched in a hover because the valve plug could strike aircraft or personnel
MK-58 Smoke
- 45 minute burn time, minimum
- Day or night use
- Do not fly low over burning Mk 58, flame can occasionally eject up to 50’
SDU-36/N Marine Marker light
- Light operates by an automatic gravity switch so that when upright (lens up), the light is ON. Inverted the light is OFF.
Minimum helicopter SAR equipment
- SAR curtain contents
- Raft bag contents
- Level A med kit
- Litter
Additional required SAR equipment for overwater
- 2x MK-58 smokes
- 4x MK-25 smokes
OR 6x MK-58 smokes
- 3x marine marker lights
- 3x LPUs
- 1x electronic datum-marking device
If a medical facility is out of visual range of the rescue scene, the following should be considered before leaving RS on scene:
(SAR LH)
- SRUs enroute or on-scene
- Acquire visually based on environment (able to reacquire RS and survivors when returning)
- Radio comms with RS operable
- Life rafts available
- Hypothermia
Hydrostatic squeeze
Constriction of the respiratory system in response to hypothermia.
Added stress to the body of being hoisted by the rescue strop allows gravity to take the blood pooled in the chest and head and disperse it to the extremities. This can/will send survivor into respiratory and/or cardiac arrest.
Consider using a method of recovery that maintains a horizontal or near horizontal position.
After drop
Cold blood from extremities gets suddenly reintroduced to the body’s core, and drops the body’s core temp below level needed to sustain life.
How should you recover and transport hypothermic survivors?
Recovery:
- Rescue basket
- Litter
- DD double lift
Transport:
- Horizontal / face-up position
- Remove wet clothing
- Wrap in wool blankets and reflective casualty blanket
Aircraft position during DD once swimmer is in the water
RS/survivor at the helos 2 o’clock position
What are the two types of rescue hoists? What are their variable speeds?
Breeze-Eastern – 0-215fpm
Lucas-Western – 0-250fpm
What weights are the rescue hoist brake, boom, and hook rated to?
brake = 600 lbs.
boom = 1000 lbs.
hook = 3000 lbs.
How many feet of useable cable does the rescue hoist have? What is different about the first and last 20’ of cable?
the hoist contains 200’ of useable cable
the first and last 20’ are bright orange to warn of end approaching
From the cockpit, the pilots can control the rescue hoist at a fixed speed of what?
100 fpm
In backup control power, the hoist is controlled at a fixed speed of what? What do you lose in backup control?
85 fpm
the limit switches are inoperative in backup control
What function do the limit switches for the rescue hoist serve?
whenever the hoist is raised or lowered at a speed exceeding 50 fpm, it will automatically decelerate to 50 fpm approx. 10’ from full-up or 5’ from full-down
Double Lift
- Used when recovering a hypothermic or potentially hypothermic survivor
- Expedient alternative to the litter
- Rescue strop used in conjunction with the quick strop to hoist survivor in semi-supine position
Helo-to-Ship trail line hoisting procedures
- Starboard to port approach for a portside hover
- On approach, drag weighted trail line into grasp of deck personnel
- Hover twice as high as the horizontal distance
- 10-20 deg relative winds favorable
- Used when the Plumb Hover method would be extremely hazardous
Plumb Hover
- Hover over the transfer point of ship
- Not necessary to use trail line as helo will be directly over the deck
3130: NAS Jax SAR operating area
- NAS Jax
- NS Mayport
- OLF Whitehouse
- Camp Blanding
- Rodman (R-2906)
- Pinecastle (R-2910)
- Warning Areas 157, 158, 159
Max radius not to exceed 100 NM over water beyond the coastline.
3130: MEDEVAC of Rescued Personnel
All military personnel should be delivered to NAS Jacksonville.
Only life threatening MEDEVAC patients should be flown onto civilian hospital landing pads. NAS Jax Hospital will accept civilian patients as a humanitarian service.
