Two rescue swimmers of Nanhai No 1 Air Rescue Service are lowered from a helicopter during a drill held near Sanya, Hainan province, on Feb 1. ZHANG LIYUN/XINHUA
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".
A member of the rescue service watches one of his teammates descending from a helicopter to a drifting platform during the drill. ZHANG LIYUN/XINHUA
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'."
Hoist operator Li Jun surveys the situation under the helicopter during the drill. ZHANG LIYUN/XINHUA
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.
Engineer Ma He performs routine maintenance on a helicopter. ZHANG LIYUN/XINHUA
"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."
Mechanical engineer Peng Long (left) and digital equipment engineer Li Jian give the helicopter a routine check before operation. ZHANG LIYUN/XINHUA
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."
Li Jun operates the hoist during the training exercise. ZHANG LIYUN/XINHUA
Two members of the rescue service practice boxing during their daily exercise. ZHANG LIYUN/XINHUA
