22 Squadron

35 Squadron

ASR Training

One of the distinguishing factors between the ASR and other NSRI helicopter crews in the difference in the training. The ASR Unit has developed training protocols based on the US Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Program and has developed good relationships with both the US Coast Guard and the RAF SAR Teams. Our Thanks must go out to both Butch Flythe ASTCM and Scott Dyer ASTCM, both Master Chief Aviation Survival Technicians with the US Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Program. The ASR unit trains regularly with two SAAF Squadrons, namely 22 Sqn and 35 Sqn, both based at Ysterplaat Air force Base in Cape Town.

Operational Overview

The Air Sea Rescue (ASR) Unit is based in Cape Town at Ysterplaat Air Force Base and works with 22 Squadron (SAR) The unit has an operational area is between Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay, operating up to 150 nautical miles offshore. The unit normally operates from either the Atlas Oryx helicopter (which has a capacity to carry up to 10 survivors at a time) or the new Westland Super Lynx Mk. 64 which has a smaller capacity. The unit is able to operate in a full 24-hour period, depending on operational limits (poor visibility, night time hours (limited capability) and if the operational range requires a flight duration in excess of three-hours).

The operational capabilities of the unit include:

Searching for missing persons believed to be alive.
Recovery of survivors from the water and from ships in distress.
Recovery of survivors by stretcher from the water and ships.
Swift water rescue (flooding).

The ASR Helicopter Rescue Swimmer

An ASR Helicopter Rescue Swimmer is a Sea Rescue Crew member who has undergone an extensive theoretical and practical training course designed to impart the following core skills and knowledge

Helicopter safety (including Helicopter Underwater Escape Training).
Use of personal equipment (surface swimming gear, TRI-SAR harness and signal mirror).
Use of all helicopter rescue swimmer equipment (rescue strops, rescue basket, stretchers, long line and body net)
Understanding of unit Standard Operating Procedures.
Casualty management techniques.
Aircrew survival equipment and in-water survival techniques.
Swift water rescue.

An ASR Helicopter Rescue Swimmer is expected to have the physical stamina to function for up to thirty minutes in heavy seas and waters, the ability to safely and effectively use all rescue equipment used by the unit, and the skills to provide basic pre-hospital life support for rescued survivors.

To achieve this level of ability, all ASR Helicopter Rescue Swimmers undergo a short but intensive training program to qualify as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer. To enter this training program, individuals must meet strict entry-level criteria as described below.

Helicopter Rescue Swimmer Training

Firstly, entry to the ASR Helicopter Rescue Swimmer training program is open to any Sea Rescue personnel meeting the entry level criteria, regardless of race, gender or background.

To become eligible to enter the ASR Helicopter Rescue Swimmer training program, an individual must meet the following criteria.

Be recommended by their Station Commander.
Be an operational sea going NSRI crew member with a minimum of two (2) years and 250 hours logged sea time.
Hold a minimum Level 3 (Advanced First Aid) or ideally a Level 5 (Paramedic Basic) medical qualification (with HPCSA registration) or higher.
Hold a marine restricted radio operator’s certificate.
Pass an ASR fitness test as described in ASR SOP 06 (Crew Selection Criteria).

On meeting these criteria, you will commence training as an ASR Rescue Swimmer. This training is presented by experienced and qualified ASR Rescue Swimmers as well as instructors at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Survival Center at Granger Bay in accordance with an approved ASR unit training program.

Continuation Training

On completion of the basic ASR Helicopter Rescue Swimmer training program, unit members will undergo regular continuation training and will be expected to undergo an annual skills re-test of core skills and a full Aviation HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) training session.

Examples of continuation training include, but are not limited to the following:

Airborne training around the Western Cape in conjunction with the SAAF maritime continuation and currency training schedule.
Participation in SAAF aircrew marine survival training exercises.
Participation in joint SAAF/SA Navy rescue swimmer training and exercises.
Participation in DEAT training sessions.

In addition, the ASR unit also provides the safety briefing and standby Rescue Swimmers for NSRI basic helicopter training.

Those Helicopter Rescue Swimmers with Level 5 or higher medical qualifications also perform regular shifts and undergo continuation training in the Western Cape as members of volunteer or full-time emergency medical practitioners.

Site designed and maintained by Spencer Oldham. Time donated by BECO - Institute for Sustainable Business
Send mail to webmaster@beco.co.za with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 30-Nov-2008