If you're hiking or camping along the Howe Sound Crest Trail, you may see the familiar yellow Talon helicopter approaching. Sometimes it's grey. Either way, when you see us working with one in the mountains, there's a good chance a rescue is underway.
Here are a few things we want you to know.
Helicopters are fundamental to how Lions Bay Search and Rescue operates. We don't have a network of access or logging roads into our steep mountain terrain, so getting rescuers to a subject often means approaching from the air.
Approximately 60% of our calls involve helicopter operations, and LBSAR performs more helicopter hover entries and exits than any other SAR team in the province.
WHY ARE WE CIRCLING?
We can't simply “land” anywhere in the alpine.
When we arrive, the pilot and rescue crew first need to take a look. We're assessing terrain, wind, obstacles and possible locations to safely get rescuers in and the subject out.
We may circle several times, come close and pull away, or drop rescuers somewhere safer and have them hike to you. We may then move you to a better extraction point.
The helicopter may return to base while we work or disappear temporarily for fuel.
That's all normal. Watching the helicopter fly away does not mean we're leaving you behind.
Hover entries and exits are demanding procedures requiring suitable terrain, safe conditions and absolute coordination between the pilot and rescue crew. Every year, our members certify with our pilots in day and night hover operations, helicopter safety and awareness, and the nuances of the different aircraft we use.
We need 100% trust in our pilots, and they need the same from us.
IF A HELICOPTER IS APPROACHING YOU
We know you want to film it, but we also need you to pay attention.
Secure everything and get out of the way.
This is particularly important at popular locations such as Tunnel Bluffs, Magnesia Meadows and Brunswick Lake, where we may need to bring a helicopter into an area occupied by hikers or campers. Some locations are designated helicopter landing zones and are marked with signs.
Packs, clothing and loose equipment can become airborne. Tents are particularly dangerous — they can turn into giant box kites, and tent pegs will not hold them. Pack your tent if you have time. If you don't, physically secure it —pull the suport poles down, then sit in it or on it, and put bags on top. Also watch out for dead branches above you and unstable trees.
Then give the aircraft lots of room.
Helicopter downwash is no joke. Crouch down, protect your eyes with sunglasses if you have them and cover or plug your ears. Never approach the aircraft unless directed by a rescuer or crew member, and never move uphill toward the rotor blades or go under the tail rotor.
If you're the person being evacuated, we'll come to you. We'll guide you toward the aircraft and may physically hold onto you as we move. Follow our directions and don't make sudden movements.
Moving in and out of a hovering helicopter is a carefully coordinated dance — deliberate, controlled and precise. The pilot can feel every movement and every transfer of weight as people, equipment and bags enter or exit the aircraft, and must continuously compensate to keep the machine stable.
Move slowly and deliberately. Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.
BEAR SPRAY: If you're carrying bear spray, tell us before approaching the helicopter. Bear spray cannot come inside the cabin. Depending on the operation, we'll secure it outside the aircraft or it may need to be left behind.
FIRES: If you have a fire, tell us and extinguish it completely. Downwash can reignite embers and scatter them across the surrounding wilderness.
AT NIGHT: If the helicopter is still well away from you, shining your headlamp toward us can help us identify your location. Once the helicopter is approaching, point your headlamp at the ground — never toward the cockpit. Our pilots may be operating with night-vision goggles, which amplify available light.
And NEVER, EVER point a laser at a helicopter. It has happened to our aircraft before. A laser can temporarily blind or disorient a pilot and put everyone onboard — and people on the ground — at risk.
CLOUDS
Especially at this time of year, rain and unstable mountain weather bring another limitation: cloud ceilings.
We cannot simply fly through cloud to reach you. Mountain helicopter operations require adequate visual reference.
You may be sitting in cloud while the helicopter is flying below you. Sometimes rescuers need to approach on foot and move a subject below the cloud ceiling before an extraction is possible.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO TALON
We can't finish this without recognizing the extraordinary team at Talon Helicopters — the pilots, crew chiefs, hoist operators and everyone behind the scenes who makes these operations possible.
We ask a tremendous amount of them. They fly us into steep, remote and unforgiving terrain, often with very little room to work. Their skill, precision and professionalism are remarkable, and the trust between our rescue crews and theirs is absolute.
We train together. We work together. We trust them with our lives — quite literally.
After all the missions and all the hours we've spent flying with them, we still regularly find ourselves watching what they do and thinking, WOW!!!
To the entire Talon team: thank you. You continue to blow us away (pun intended).