Airborne Fire Suppression and Rescue Techniques

Helicopters have attained a new stage in rescue operations. From being used primarily to retrieve and transport crash victims, they have now emerged as an integrated airborne crash fire rescue system by virtue of the development of especially designed helicopters, specialized equipment, and refined techniques. This integrated system is presently being used as a primary means of rescuing aircraft crash survivors from post crash fires, especially where surface rescue equipment is not immediately available. Examples of rescues are presented.