DPS Hoist Training
The Utah Dept. of Public Safety Aero Division brought three pilots and five Rescue Specialists to Moab for helicopter hoist proficiency training on May 9-10, 2018. Grand County Search and Rescue, EMS, and the local Classic Helicopter crew were invited to participate.
GCSAR has used the DPS hoist on several occasions for evacuation of rescue subjects. The state ship can insert and extract rescue personnel via hoist if there is no nearby LZ. We practiced this at the training using the Air Rescue Vest. Nadi, Jake B. and Craig C. were hoisted to a spot on river right about a mile from the LZ. Frank was deposited on a tall, flat-topped boulder near the base of Parriott Mesa. Logan was headed to the same place when had to be brought inside the cabin of the helicopter since winds became too gusty to lower him on the hoist.
There were not many local people attending this great training, so we decided after the fact to put together a video documenting the training.