Travel Reference
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cuer can row. An eightperson raft allows two rowers and an additional one or two rescuers
andismorestable.Therescuedandallrescuersshouldwearpersonalflotationdevices,and
the disabled person must not be strapped into the litter.
RESCUES BY AIRPLANE AND HELICOPTER
The sight of a horse makes the strong man lame.
—Old Afghan Proverb
The sight of a helicopter makes the strong rescuer lame.
—New Proverb
In many parts of the world, rescue has been revolutionized by the use of aircraft, which
enablelongtransportsthatwerealmostunimaginableinthepreaircraftera.Forexpeditions
operating in suitable terrain, fixed wing aircraft have many uses for rescue. Many expedi-
tions in remote areas arrive and leave byairplane, which can be adapted with skis forsnow
and floats for water. Where airplanes are unable to land, they can be used to airdrop sup-
plies.Rotorcraft(helicopters)haveadditionalcapabilitiesthatmakethemusefulforexped-
ition transport or rescue in mountainous, canyon, or forested terrain. A general knowledge
of aircraft operations can be crucial for the success of expedition rescue.
One particularly important principle for flying in remote areas cannot be overemphas-
ized: Nobody should ever be separated from personal survival gear. Expedition members
should never board an aircraft, take off in an aircraft, or leave an aircraft without their
packs, even if the aircraft is expected to return immediately or two aircraft are flying the
same route at the same time. Aircraft can be diverted by weather, mechanical problems, or,
most unfortunately, by crashing.
To use aircraft successfully for rescue, the group should have a plan to activate air res-
cue, to communicate with the pilot, to define or construct a safe landing zone, and to assist
the pilot with the landing. Every member of the expedition should be familiar with safety
in aircraft operations.
Preplanning should include a plan for activating air rescue if the expedition does not
have its own aircraft. In many countries, including most developing countries, arranging
air rescue requires either prepayment or a guarantee of payment. Expeditions from many
developedcountriescancountontheirembassiesinthehostcountrytoguaranteepayment,
but the expedition must contact its embassy in advance to ascertain its policy. In the past,
an alternative to guaranteed payment was to make funds available in the form of a cash
deposit or bond with the embassy of the expedition's home country. Now credit card au-
thorization for the aircraft operator is usually sufficient.
The expedition should know the requirements for landing zones for any aircraft likely
to be used in a rescue or evacuation. Airplanes will need a runway for wheeled aircraft, a
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