MINERAL COUNTY - On windy a Sunday, May 5, 10 members of the Mineral County Search and Rescue (SAR) and EMS organizations gathered at the airport for Lift Ticket training provided by a flight crew from Flight for Life Colorado, one of three air medical evacuation organizations that provide helicopter support for the county.
Annual Lift Ticket certification is required when either SAR or EMS personnel need to be transported to remote areas of the county to assist in the treatment, stabilization, loading, and ultimate evacuation of sick, injured, or lost persons from locations within the county that are inaccessible by vehicles.
The training included landing zone preparations, communications between ground personnel and the helicopter crews, hot and cold loading of patients, helicopter equipment features, and general helicopter safety considerations. Attendees were issued Lift Ticket cards which must be presented to a flight crew before any transport to a remote scene can be accommodated.
