Arguably, helicopter rescue is the most important in emergency rescue. Apart from these mechanical life savers coming in handy in risky situations, they allow the search and rescue teams to reach the victim fast.
More importantly, they can reach places considered inaccessible and dangerous. But did you know that over 6 decades ago, nobody could have imagined helicopters could be used for civilian rescue?
The emergency helicopter services were initiated by the US army for troops in the field between 1950 and 1953 during the Korean War. The country’s government had realized the ability and agility that choppers came with, in rescue operations and for offensive purposes, especially hitting moving objects.
As a result of the application of helicopters in the war, the US military saved a lot of wounded soldiers on battlefields at ease. More importantly, they understood that nurses in conflict areas couldn’t have all the resources they needed, and they found it easier to airlift soldiers with gun wounds and other injuries to operating rooms in safer places.
Through the introduction of the rescue helicopters, nurses could replenish fluids lost by the wounded and entrust them to the safe hands of the onboard doctor to stabilize them before they reached the operating room.
After the Korean War ended in 1960, the US army integrated emergency rescue helicopters equipped with state-of-the-art medical supplies, equipment, and personnel, and later in the year, they introduced these choppers for handling civilian emergencies too.
The History of European Rescue Helicopter Evolution
In Europe, the first country to use rescue helicopters was Holland to address a flooding issue. The country had already integrated the Swiss Air Rescue Guard in 1931 but it was not until 1953 they were called to action.
Helicopters in Italy were mainly used for mountain rescue and the first piece of action took place in Trento in 1957. Also, there was a rescue operation in Aosta in 1983, and after that, the government realized their essence and commissioned them as rescue vehicles on other platforms.
About Fair Lifts
At Fair Lifts, we pride ourselves on a wide range of aviation resources to keep you safe in the air while delivering exemplary services. Whether it’s emergency helicopter services or pipeline inspection job you seek, rest assured we’ll do a satisfactory job. Our pilots and other staff are the utmost professionals guided by the highest standards of integrity.