Intermountain practices helicopter rescues as summer approaches

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Curtis Andersen, a flight paramedic with Life Flight, rises on a hoist line with Utah County Search and Rescue's Toby Norton, (playing an injured person) in a rescue net, during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
A flight paramedic with Life Flight rises on a hoist line and into the helicopter during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Curtis Andersen, flight paramedic with Life Flight, rises on a hoist line with Utah County Search and Rescue's Toby Norton, (playing an injured person) in a rescue net, during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
A flight paramedic with Life Flight rises with an "injured victim"on a hoist line and into the helicopter during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance.

PRIORITY-> If Possible

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Curtis Andersen, flight paramedic with Life Flight, places Toby Norton, a member of the Utah County Search and Rescue, in a net to be lifted from the ground by a Life Flight helicopter at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues will cover a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
An "accident victim" is placed in in rescue net, during a vertical lift excercise at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance.

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Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Curtis Andersen, a flight paramedic with Life Flight, rises on a hoist line with Utah County Search and Rescue's Toby Norton, (playing an injured person) in a rescue net, during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune A flight paramedic with Life Flight rises on a hoist line and into the helicopter during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Curtis Andersen, flight paramedic with Life Flight, rises on a hoist line with Utah County Search and Rescue's Toby Norton, (playing an injured person) in a rescue net, during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Curtis Andersen, flight paramedic with Life Flight, rises on a hoist line with Utah County Search and Rescue's Toby Norton, (playing an injured person) in a rescue net, during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Curtis Andersen, flight paramedic with Life Flight, rises on a hoist line with Utah County Search and Rescue's Toby Norton, (playing an injured person) in a rescue net, during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune A flight paramedic with Life Flight rises on a hoist line and into the helicopter during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune A flight paramedic with Life Flight rises with an "injured victim"on a hoist line and into the helicopter during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance. PRIORITY-> If Possible Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Curtis Andersen, flight paramedic with Life Flight, places Toby Norton, a member of the Utah County Search and Rescue, in a net to be lifted from the ground by a Life Flight helicopter at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues will cover a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Curtis Andersen, flight paramedic with Life Flight, rises on a hoist line with Utah County Search and Rescue's Toby Norton, (playing an injured person) in a rescue net, during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Curtis Andersen, flight paramedic with Life Flight, rises on a hoist line with Utah County Search and Rescue's Toby Norton, (playing an injured person) in a rescue net, during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune An "accident victim" is placed in in rescue net, during a vertical lift excercise at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Curtis Andersen, flight paramedic with Life Flight, rises on a hoist line with Utah County Search and Rescue's Toby Norton, (playing an injured person) in a rescue net, during a practice drill at Little Dell Reservoir Monday May 5, 2014. Paramedics and Life Flight crews practiced a series of "live" hoist rescues to prepare for the upcoming summer season. The hoist rescues covered a number of scenarios in which injured recreationalists are injured or stranded and need to be airlifted to safety. Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues. A paramedic is lowered to an injured or stranded person on a specially designed hoist attached to the helicopter. Life Flight operates Agusta twin-engine helicopters equipped for hoist operations that are well suited for high-altitude performance.

The Salt Lake Tribune

· May 5, 2014 4:25 pm

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Intermountain Life Flight practiced "hoist rescues" at Little Dell Reservoir Monday, practicing to assist summer hikers and climbers who become injured or stranded.

In a hoist team, specially trained nurses operate the hoist and direct the helicopter pilot, and hoist rescuer paramedics are lowered to the patient and prepare him or her to be lifted out.

Intermountain Life Flight is the first and only civilian air ambulance in the nation equipped and licensed to perform hoist rescues, it said in a statement.