This thread has reminded me of a past operation in which the Huey was in a hover, about ready to lower the cable, when suddenly there was a reed light in the cockpit, and the pilot informed us over the outside speaker that he was returning to rebel base with a malfunction.

A Highway Patrol bird without a winch substituted and we had to carry the victim about one half mile to a spot where he was able to land.

Even with thee occasional glitch, helos are a godsend for victims distant from medical care, where transport speed can be critical.

Winches are pretty much only on dedicated SAR helos. They have a relatively small weight capacity (perhaps 300-350 kg ?), which is adequate to lift a rescuer and victim, but not near enough for industrial loads. Winches require a dedicated winch operator, and a great deal of specialized and dangerous training for pilot, winch operator, and rescuer.

Helicopters used in industrial work typically do not have a winch for hoisting. While they can lift quite big loads, they generally use the cargo hook on the bottom of the helicopter. The cargo hook could be used for rescue work, this would be the "short haul" technique (sometimes also called "long line"). However, using this to lift a living person (as opposed to a piece of industrial kit) again requires a high level of very specialized training. Also some specialized gear to attach the victim. This isn't something that one would want to improvise on the spot.

Given the limited information available on this incident, it sounds to me that opting to carry her out to where they could rendezvous with a ground vehicle appears to be absolutely the wisest option.

Good comments, AKSAR, and I appreciate your wisdom. The news reports are all over the place (as usual). But what you say makes sense.

I'd read that her car ran out of gas. She likely tried to walk to help.

That makes sense, but I wonder why she didn't stick to the road? Thought she had a "shortcut" I wonder?

Ben East, an writer for Outdoor Life in the '40s thru '60s covered many survival stories involving lost hikers. His advice: Never step off a road or marked trail unless you're ready to spend the night in the woods.

Interestingly, this story is quite similar to another I saw today -

Washington State Teen Found Alive in Woods 8 Days After Going Missing

[Excerpts]

An 18-year-old from Washington state who went missing on July 24 was found eight days later in a heavily wooded section of the Cascade Mountains east of Seattle, in what rescuers say is a “miracle.”

Giovanna “Gia” Fuda was last seen on surveillance footage at a coffee shop in Index, Washington, before she disappeared last Friday, ABC News reported.

She left her home in Maple Valley, Washington, without telling her relatives where she was going.

- - - -

A search-and-rescue team came across Fuda’s notebook along a deep stream in the woods around 2:45 p.m. The crew eventually followed the stream and found shoes and clothes that belonged to Fuda.

Once the rescuers reached up a steep embankment, they found Fuda two miles from the bottom of the “very steep” ravine.

Medics treated her at the scene and took her to a local hospital, where she is listed as being in stable condition.

Abbott said she had no food on her but was drinking water from the creek.

Officials could not explain why Fuda ended up in the woods, as she was too incoherent at the time of her rescue and could not explain what happened over the past week.

Abbott said authorities have ruled out a possible kidnapping “at least at this point.”

Meanwhile, Fuda’s family is just happy she was found alive and safe.

https://www.breitbart.com/local/2020/08/...-going-missing/

As with all Breitbart stories, the comment section is full of pro- and anti-Trump posts. Ignore.

Same incident was on early morning TV. One take home - available. water is crucial for survival of any length.

You are absolutely right about brainless comments....Disgusting!

Imagine how much easier this would have been with even a simple cargo pocket sized kit. (Or even better a well equipped hiking pack...)

A bail-out bag in her car’s trunk?