Taking rescue to the next level

Busselton Surf Life Saving WA boosted their rescue capabilities with static line training last Saturday.

The process allows the SLSWA helicopter and crew to get patients out of danger faster, potentially saving lives.

Rescue crew officer Bevan Macauley said it was a big step forward for local sea rescues.

“We jump into the water from six to eight metres, swim to the patient and put a rescue tube around them,” he said.

“Then the chopper drops 15 metres of rope, we clip the patient up and the chopper moves us to a safe location.

“We don’t need a vessel to assist us, so it saves time. It’s the next step in sea rescue.”

Mr Bevan said the SLSWA helicopter and crew had been busy since they began patrols on November 23.

They were called by water police to help find a missing person at Eagle Bay last Friday and located him within 15 minutes.

They also made it to Gracetown in 20 minutes to assist in the rescue of an 80-year-old man who had been washed off the rocks.

Mr Bevan said when people saw the chopper in the sky they often assumed it had spotted a shark in the area, but this was not always the case.

“If you see us, don’t assume there is a shark in the area. A siren will activate if there needs to be an evacuation,” he said.

“It will be quite obvious when we want you out of the water.”