Facing life-and-death challenges in hazardous conditions has helped members of China's air rescue team that operates in the South China Sea form an unbreakable bond.

The Ministry of Transport's Nanhai No 1 Air Rescue Service saved 94 people when typhoons and severe weather hit the region last year. To show their admiration, fishermen have dubbed the helicopter rescue team the "Eagles of the South China Sea".

Yang Jianhui, a rescue swimmer, said carrying out an operation in the midst of a raging storm is like dancing on the tip of a knife. A helicopter rescue involves five crew members: a team leader, deputy pilot, hoist operator and two rescue swimmers who are lowered by winches, he said.

"Every operation relies on delicate coordination of the crews," Yang said. "Hoist operators are the 'eyes' of operations and rescue swimmers are the 'hands'."

Once a helicopter has approached a boat that is in trouble, the pilots cannot observe the vessel's situation or surrounding conditions as they need to concentrate on controlling the aircraft. The hoist operator has to lower the rescue swimmers and be aware of obstacles on the vessel and dangerous water conditions.

"Fighting big waves can be very challenging," Yang said.

"On my first operation my colleagues and I managed to save seven people from a capsizing boat, which made me feel proud."

Besides the rescue team, the ground crew plays an important role in making sure operations run smoothly. Han Bing, a maintenance engineer, said, "Our work is essential for the safety of the rescue crew and other passengers on our helicopters."