Ambulance rescue crewmen did not conduct any night winching recency training, resulting in an increased risk of unfamiliarity with night winching procedures and their associated hazards.
ASNSW advised that, in response to this accident, a requirement was implemented on 13 August 2012 that SCAT paramedics, in their role as ambulance rescue crewmen, comply with an annual night winching currency. In addition, ASNSW will liaise with the operator to consider the requirement for more frequent currency, or alternate methods of maintaining night operations awareness.
The helicopter operator advised that training for the operator’s crewmen and ASNSW paramedics had been amended to include night winching and a supervised task requirement for air crewmen. In addition, a requirement has been implemented that all new crew members undertake a familiarisation of possible difficult rescue areas in the mountains around Sydney prior to commencing operations.
