I didn't see use of a wind sock under ground procedures.

Many helipads are on mountain tops and are windy. If one doesn't
carry a flare or smoke, one can improvise a wind sock from a large stuffsack, garbage bag or sleeping bag. This can give the
pilot a good visual aid for wind direction and speed.

The protocol I learned was to place a ground rescuer with his back to the wind, arms extended straight out. Popping smoke is much better. As I understand it, wind direction and velocity is critical information for the pilot.

Yes, and by using a wind sock held in both hands so the wind can
fill it, you naturally stand with your back into the wind.
A sock can give the pilot a general sense of velocity.

I will have to work on that..

This is correct. The idea is to be a sort of human weathervane, with outstretched arms indicating the direction the wind is blowing. Stand at the upwind edge of the helispot.

Sometimes as the helicopter lands the rotar downwash can kick up dust or snow to the point of obscuring the landing spot. In this case it is important that the person marking the spot (the human weathervane) does not move, since the pilot may be using him/her as a visual reference point.

If you use something for an improvised wind sock (as suggested above), be very careful that it is well secured. If it gets loose and gets blown up into the rotars it can damage them. A good alternative to improvise a wind sock is a piece of surveyors flagging tape securely tied to a bush or tree near the helispot.

I hope someone thanks you for doing that. If not, I will: Thanks for doing that. My brother works in the Maryland area and due to the nature of his work he may have to pulled out sometime (hopefully not).

On behalf of myself and fellow teammates, you are very welcome. Our team is the only MSP-HEAT Team in the state that is totally volunteer (we have career members, but they participate on the team voluntarily) and pride ourselves that we have performed more hoist rescue operations than all of the other teams combined.

From the link MSP Sections link - Trooper 3

“The Frederick Section is the primary site for the Division’s hoist training operations. Our response area’s terrain is extremely diverse. Due to the ever-increasing recreation on the Potomac River, the Appalachian Trail and Maryland’s mountains, there are many opportunities for aerial rescues. As a matter of fact, Trooper Three has completed more hoist missions than all the other sections combined!”

I am very proud of our team and the personal satisfaction rewards are huge. I and another team member performed this rescue last winter during the huge snow storm that hit the east coast:

From Snow Stories “For the second time within 12 hours,
the Maryland State Police Aviation Command was requested to rescue a man that was snowbound at his home that was having a medical emergency. At approximately 6:30 p.m. on February 11, 2010, Trooper 3 based out of Frederick, Maryland was requested to hoist a man with a medical emergency from his snowbound home.

The victim had requested emergency services hours earlier, according to Frederick County Fire Board. Snow plows and loaders were being utilized to gain access to the patient who was located at a remote farm off of Hessong Bridge Road south of Thurmont. Due to deep snow drifts, the snowplows were not making much progress and the patient’s condition was worsening. After further evaluation of the situation, the decision was made to insert the Frederick County HEAT Team by helicopter and then hoist the patient for transport to the hospital.

Trooper 3, was requested to pick up the Frederick County Fire Department HEAT Team, and then extract the patient with the helicopter’s hoist. The crew of Trooper 3, Pilot Craig Renier, and Trooper / Flight Paramedic Lance Shank, configured the aircraft for the hoist rescue. The HEAT Team was also placed on the aircraft. After locating the residence, the area was evaluated to see if there was any place to land the aircraft. There were no feasible locations to land the aircraft. The decision to perform an aerial rescue was made.

The patient was advised by phone about what was about to unfold. Pilot Renier skillfully held the aircraft in a hover over the delivery point even though the aircraft was continually buffeted by strong gusts of wind. Trooper Shank then dropped the HEAT Team onto a snow covered driveway next to the residence. They made contact with the patient while the basket was being lowered to them. The patient was placed into the basket and Trooper Shank hoisted the basket with the victim inside to the aircraft. The patient was pulled into the aircraft and secured for transport then evaluated and treated while en route to Frederick Memorial Hospital. In less than 7 minutes the patient was delivered to the hospital for treatment.”

Still, I am humbled to think that there are service members doing what we do under fire and ask that your prayers and thoughts go out to them to keep them safe and give them the strength to complete their missions.

Pete