Tower and Helicopter Rescue
What this domain covers
Tower and helicopter rescue covers work at height on structures - communications towers, water towers, cranes - and operations with rotary-wing aircraft. The two share the exam's core idea: your own fall protection and the aircraft's rotors are the primary hazards.
Tower rules
- 100% fall protection, always: two lanyards, with at least one attached at all times, including at every transfer point.
- Anchor above the work when the structure allows; a fall factor over 1 loads the anchor and the body hard.
- Radio-frequency hazard: transmitters must be powered down and locked out before anyone climbs.
- Plan the descent: descent device, pick-off of an incapacitated climber, and a lower rather than a raise where possible.
Helicopter rules
- Landing zone about 100 ft by 100 ft, clear of wires, dust, and loose items, with a 15:1 approach slope kept clear.
- Approach from the 3 or 9 o'clock position, never from the tail, never uphill into the rotor disk. Stay low, keep eye and hearing protection on, and secure loose equipment.
- Static electricity: let the hook or the ground handler touch first; do not grab a hook that is still charged.
- Only one person signals the pilot; everyone else follows hand signals and crew instructions.
Worked example
A patient on a tower platform 80 ft up. Your plan: two rescuers climb on separate fall protection, one attaches a pick-off to the patient, transfers them to a descent system anchored above, and lowers to the ground while the second rescuer manages the belay. A helicopter hoist is not the first choice for a stable 80 ft tower beside a road.
Traps
Unclipping both lanyards at a transfer point. Approaching a helicopter from the rear. Touching the hoist hook before it is grounded. Climbing a live antenna.