Smyrna times., 1962-11-08
Operation Survival
Rescue Training
Conducted for
Dover Fliers
Story And Photos
BY SSgt. BOB OLSEN

~ S5oA NAliS l1dlCOg SlliCl SSllSy
radio and survival equipment
we're outlined with special en-
phasis on the arctic survival
suit to be worn, (crew mem
bers call this a 'poopy suito,
while In the water. Water tenn :
perature was about so degrees
for the operation, but during
other training missions has
been as low as 80 degrees.
From here we boarded the
Coast Guard boat and received
our final instructions from sur
vival training people. AS we
headed out more then a mile
and-a-half off-shore, each man
listened carefully to the words
of the instructor, but at the
same time kept his eyes glued
to the cold, choppy waters.
When 1t came time for the
operation the boat travelled at
speeds of five to ten knots,
Stimulating high wind conditions
and speeds that a parachute
pulls a man after he hits the
water.
After getting into poopy suits
the signal was given for TWO
crew men to make ready.
Another signal was given and
two one-man life RATS were
thrown over the side. Now a
crew member was standing
ready to jump. A simulated par
achute riser attached to him
is checked to see that it is
properly engaged and he goes
over the side.
Each man had to release his
chute riser or be pulled under
water by the moving boat sim
ulating being pulled by the wind.
This is all done In a matter of
seconds, with a crew member
going over the side every 80
seconds during the operation,
leaving string of four to six
men bobbing aroung in the cold
water waiting for the rescue
operation.
After freeing himself from
his chute, each man boards his
life raft, checks his equipment
and makes an attempt TO con-
tact occupants of other RATS.
Each trys to tie up with an
other raft. This facilitates
search and rescue operations.
Upon word that crews are In
the water the helicopter crew
begins their search and rescue
mission.
A smoke flare Is dropped by
the helicopter after spotting the
survivors to check wind direct
ion. AS the helicopter nears the
crew member for pickup, the
downed flyer gets out of his
raft and as far from it as he can.
This is done because the force
of wind from the helicopter can
lift the raft from the water into
the blades.
AT this point In the rescue
Captain Ingraham's prior in
structions become most i'm
portant. Boarding the rescue
basket can be real problem
If it is not done the right way.
Crew members are told to let
the basket do most of the work.
That is, allow the basket opera
tor to come along and scoop
you up from the water. If a per-
son is incapacited this operation
becomes somewhat easier at
times because the survivor can
do nothing, but when he is trying
to help himself he may rush or
try to enter the basket from the
wrong side.
Once in the basket with both
feet the operation is up to the
basket operator again. He takes
the signal to lift you and In a
matter of seconds you find your
self seated on board the 'copter'
a little wet and cold. Looking
across at you is a welcome face
-"You made it," the operator
shouts with smile. "Yeah |
made it," you say to yourself,
"thanks to you and someone who
made sure | would know what
to do. But what If it was the
real thing2" you ask yourself.
"Could | have made 1t then2"
And then your thoughts are in
terrupted by the words of the
guy next to you... "Just like the
real thing, huh." he says, and
right then and there you have
your answer.