Our Work

The Westpac Life Saver Helicopter is a community based not for profit organisation providing rescue services to the Sydney, Central Coast and South Coast communities of NSW. We provide a free service with the sole mission of saving lives.

We are tasked by and work with:

• Surf Life Saving NSW, ensuring the safety of the community on the beach and in the ocean
• State Emergency Service, providing flood rescue operations throughout NSW
• NSW Police, assisting in land and sea search and rescue
• Rural Fire Service, deploying personnel into fire zones
• Australian Search and Rescue, responding to distress beacons activated by bushwalkers or marine vessels

Pilots

The Service has experienced Pilots each with in excess of 3,000 hours flying time.  The Chief Pilot is responsible for the management of the operational matters of the Service.  Along with the usual skill requirements of licensed pilots, they have experience in IFR (instrument flight rules) flying, sling-load carriage, over water operations and winching.

Air Crew

Air Crew have extensive experience in aviation search and rescue and have qualifications in life saving and resuscitation techniques.  They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including performing pre-flight inspections, mission planning and coordination of all SAR and retrieval missions and are responsible for all rescue and emergency equipment, assisting the Pilots with take-off and landing procedures, operating communications equipment, operating the helicopter rescue hoist and performing rescue functions, and generally assist in ensuring the safety of personnel in and around the helicopter.

Rescue Crew

Rescue Crew are the front line of our operations team, performing the rescue function “down the wire” on the end of the winch cable, or in the water, on the side of a cliff or on a rock ledge.  The crew are highly skilled with qualifications in search and rescue, emergency care, spinal management, resuscitation and radio communications.