From the Valley Sun
November 1, 2001

Rappelling from a helicopter to save lives hanging in the balance

By JOHN HUTHMACHER

Thirteen Montrose Search and Rescue members were treated to their annual thrill ride Saturday at Barley Flats in Angeles Forest -- a one-way rope trip down from a helicopter hovering 100 feet in the air.

"We always look forward to this one," said Commander Mike Leum. "The families come up and you kind of make a picnic out of it. It's kind of our family day."

Utilizing one of five Sea King H-3 helicopters purchased last year by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department from the United States Navy, rescuers spent about 30 minutes on the ground listening to instructions from Sgt. Mike Connelly, crew chief, before boarding the whirleybird for a quick on-the-ground run through prior to liftoff.

During the drill, exercises were interrupted by three real-life rescue responses involving two motorcyclists over the edge on Angeles Crest Highway and a runner who injured his back in a mountain fall. Both the first cyclist and the runner were treated and transported to local hospitals, while the second biker declined treatment.

The purpose of the drill, Leum said, was to familiarize team members with "the new system and processes involved with working around" the newly commissioned helicopter, the same make and model used to transport the president of the United States.

While there are always risks involved in rappelling, Leum said the team's only "casualty' to date has been a sprained ankle. That, and a scratch on the chin he sustained during Saturday's drill that involved rappelling into a group of trees.

"We all rappelled out of the helicopter through a group of trees and I took a branch to the chin," he said sheepishly. "That was excellent field work right there." Each member made at least two descents from the helicopter.

"It went well," Leum said. "The crew chief was very satisfied with our performance as usual."

One of the busiest teams in the county, Montrose Search and Rescue members are frequent flyers to rescue sites in Angeles Forest and beyond. In many instances, expeditious treatment of the victim is critical in life or death situations.

Copyright 2001 Valley Sun