Heavy Seas and Surf – Swimmer/Survivor Recovery Techniques 

When recovering the rescue swimmer (RS) and survivor in heavy seas or surf, expediency is more important than precision as the recovery must occur between waves. Continuous crew awareness of incoming waves is equally important to achieve appropriate timing. The following are the fifteen most common coaching points when training aircrews on RS and survivor recoveries in heavy seas and surf: 

1. Keep the RS and survivor in the “green zone” when preparing for recovery. Good positioning allows the crew to control the situation; poor positioning allows the environment to take control. See Preparing for Recovery in Heavy Seas and Surf- Aircraft Orientation and the Green Zone post for a more detailed description. 

2. Maintain high situational awareness by having pilots concisely call out waves for the flight mechanic (FM) (e.g., “Breaking wave in five seconds”). The FM should also scan out to anticipate the timing and impact of wave energy—avoiding fixation directly below the aircraft. 

3. To improve the efficiency of a “machete hoist” recovery, use one-dimensional conning to move the helicopter into the capture radius—the distance within which a safe, timely recovery can occur between waves. For example, use a “right” command followed by “forward” instead of “forward and right.” Avoid using “easy,” as the hoist recovery position is achieved by taking in cable rather than moving the aircraft directly overhead. 

4. Large waves come in sets followed by a lull. In a situation where the RS can manage the survivor through a large set, it may be advantageous to let a few waves pass to hoist during the lull. 

5. If conditions require an immediate recovery and there is no time to rig the quick strop, the RS may use a physical grip to relocate the survivor to calmer water or closer to shore. Smooth and deliberate flight control and hoist inputs are essential to avoid excessive swinging or jerking. 

6. Use wave energy to help close the distance, bringing the RS and survivor into the capture radius more quickly.  

7. Once in the capture radius, the FM should drag the RS and survivor to a recovery position. In heavy seas, timeliness outweighs achieving a perfectly plumb position before taking the load. Pausing at plumb is ideal but not always possible—recover before the next wave face.  

8. Commit to the pickup. One of the most hazardous situations is hesitating with the RS and survivor in the “exposure zone,” where there is insufficient slack for freedom of movement but insufficient tension to fully take the load, making the RS and survivor susceptible to shock loading. In this zone, as a wave lifts the RS and survivor, excess slack accumulates, only to be abruptly removed as they fall into the trough, resulting in a potentially dangerous shock load that can cause injury or damage to the hoist system. 

9. If, after committing to the recovery the timing is imperfect, and the swimmer and survivor are in the exposure zone, recover the RS and survivor through the face of a wave under tension rather than hesitating or paying out additional cable, which can increase exposure to shock loads. 

10. As the FM takes in cable to drag the RS and survivor while the aircrew moves the helicopter towards them, it may be advantageous to stop the helicopter short of plumb to avoid overshooting and, if the appropriate chain of energy (wave energy → RS/survivor → hoist drum) is maintained, the drag in the direction of wave energy buys more recovery time between wave crests.  

11. As the RS and survivor near plumb, a well-timed vertical climb of the helicopter can expedite the RS and survivor clearing an approaching wave face (e.g., “hold,” “dragging swimmer and survivor plumb,” “prepare to take the load,” “up 10”, “taking the load”). 

12. Avoid grabbing the cable as doing so can create a “service loop” which occurs when slack develops between the hoist drum and the FM’s hand. Rapid removal of this slack can result in a shock load. 

13. Avoid wrapping fingers around the cable. When fingers wrap around the cable, the FM unconsciously pulls it towards them. A sudden tension on the cable can violently jerk the FM’s arm or, in extreme cases, pull them out the door. 

14. If a breaking wave passes before pickup, wait for a new ready-for-pickup signal—do not assume the RS and survivor are still prepared. Whitewater can wrap or drape the cable around them, creating injury hazards if the load is taken. 

15. If a large swing develops during recovery, avoid rapidly taking in cable, as shortening the cable increases the swing’s amplitude. Instead, freeze or pay out cable while moving the aircraft laterally or use an up-then-down maneuver to dampen oscillation.