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A day in the life

Below is an account of a day in the working life of Brett Knowles, a Townsville-based Queensland Rescue Air Crew Officer.

Before joining Queensland Rescue, Brett was a helicopter crew member in the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army for over 20 years. He has vast experience in all military and rescue related roles.

Step 1 The day duty crew at Queensland Rescue's Townsville base had not long completed the morning's routine tasks when the emergency line was activated at 0915. Queensland Ambulance Service's (QAS) Townsville Communications Centre requested activation of the helicopter to provide assistance to a crewmember aboard the yacht "Ocean Piper" located in the Hinchinbrook Channel approximately 10 NM North of Lucinda. A member onboard the vessel was suffering severe chest pain and required urgent medical attention.

Step 2 Duty pilot, Capt Mike Toms lodged a flight notification plan and completed the necessary pre-flight documentation for flying duties. Aircrew Officer Brett Knowles and Rescue Crew Officer (RCO) Mark Bryant reconfigured the cabin quickly and checked that the necessary equipment was onboard for the task.

During this time the base emergency line was again activated to advise the crew that the "MV Coral Princess II" was enroute through the Hinchinbrook Channel and was stopping to render what assistance it could. The task of recovering a person by stretcher winch from the yacht would be difficult but not beyond the capability of the crew. However, it was requested that if possible, the patient be transferred to the "MV Coral Princess II" to expedite winching operations and improve patient care and subsequent outcome.

Step 3 As Capt Mike Toms started the second engine of the Bell 412 (call sign Rescue 521) Paramedic Intensive Care Matt Green from the Townsville QAS station joined the crew and boarded the aircraft. Rescue 521 departed at 0939 and made a direct transit to the Hinchinbrook channel.

Upon reaching the mouth of the channel weather conditions were marginal at times with low cloud and rain showers about the coast and channel. On arrival, communications were established with "MV Coral Princess II" whereupon the vessel's Master advised the helicopter crew the patient had been safely transferred aboard his vessel. In the meantime, crew harnesses and equipment were checked and the rescue hoist made ready for winching operations.

Capt Mike Toms made an approach to the port quarter of the upper deck of the vessel with Brett Knowles providing clearances once the deck disappeared under the nose of the aircraft. RCO Mark Bryant and paramedic Matt Green were lowered to the deck followed by the rescue stretcher and equipment. Rescue 521 then moved clear while Paramedic Matt Green commenced treating the patient. Approximately 15 minutes later Rescue 521 received a call from the RCO Mark Bryant advising that the patient was in final preparations for stretcher winch extraction. Rescue 521 was repositioned over the upper deck of "MV Coral Princess II" where the cable was lowered for a double stretcher winch retrieval. During the winch recovery, RCO Mark Bryant maintained control of the stretcher stability by use of the safety tag line that ensured a safe and controlled recovery of the stretcher patient and attending paramedic.

Step 4 On completion of the second winch to recover RCO Mark Bryant, the aircraft departed the scene, with the ship's master being thanked via radio for his assistance in the recovery operation. The patient was flown directly to the Townsville Hospital for treatment at the emergency department. Upon landing at the hospital helipad, the patient expressed his relief and gratitude for a job well done.

During the transit to Townsville, Rescue 521 was advised that a second urgent medical task was pending at a cattle station 70 NM West of Townsville. Due to recent flooding in the area, the helicopter was the only means of reaching the outlying property. The aircraft returned to base, and after a quick change of paramedic and rotors-running-refuel, Rescue 521 departed for " Oweenee Station". Another successful task was completed, with the return to the Townsville Hospital of a seriously ill patient.

After completing post mission activities at the base, Rescue 521 was made ready for further tasking. The crew were then able to grab a late lunch and reflect on another good day at Queensland Rescue.