On two separate occasions in the same week, the coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lee on Solent in Hampshire, had to winch casualties from boats in Swanage Bay and fly them to Poole Hospital.
The first incident on Tuesday 27th August 2024 was a diver suffering from decompression sickness and then later in the week on Saturday 31st August 2024, an unconscious sailor needed medical treatment.
The coastguard helicopter 175 passing over the Swanage all weather lifeboat, as it approaches the dive vessel in Swanage Bay
Diver with decompression sickness
Just before 1 pm on Tuesday 27th August 2024, the emergency services were alerted that a diver in Swanage Bay was suffering from decompression sickness.
The person had finished diving and was back on the dive boat receiving oxygen, while waiting for more help to arrive.
Swanage lifeboat launched and was soon alongside the dive vessel. Two lifeboat crew members transferred to the boat to assess the diver and were shortly joined by a paramedic that had been winched down from the coastguard helicopter 175 hovering overhead.
The decision was made to winch the diver up to the helicopter and get them quickly to the decompression unit at Poole Hospital.
The helicopter headed towards the Whitecliff helicopter landing site in Poole, where it was met by an ambulance crew including a diving doctor and then transported to the specialist unit at Poole Hospital.
Poole Coastguard team and the South Western Ambulance crew await the arrival of the coastguard helicopter at the Whitcliff helicopter landing site near Poole Hospital
On arrival, the helicopter paramedics transfer the diver suffering from decompression sickness into the care of the ambulance crew
Unconscious crew member
Four days later, the coastguard helicopter was back in action over Swanage Bay.
Early on Saturday 31st August 2024, the coastguard received a call to say that a crew member on board a yacht in Swanage Bay was unconscious.
The Swanage all weather lifeboat launched at 8.46 am and headed towards the yacht’s last known position.
“Suffered a head injury”
Swanage Lifeboat Station reported:
“Once alongside the yacht, two crew were put on board, in tricky sea conditions, to assess the situation.
“The crew member had suffered a head injury following falling through the companion way (the stairway between decks) and the casualty’s condition suggested that an evacuation to shore was necessary, but not urgent.
“The coastguard helicopter ‘Rescue 175’ was tasked and various evacuation plans were discussed. The sea state, casualty’s mobility, space on deck etc. were factors considered and a decision was made to attempt a ‘hi-line’ transfer of the winch paramedic directly to the yacht.”
The paramedic from the helicopter was successfully winched down to the yacht and then the injured sailor was then winched back up with the paramedic to the helicopter and taken over to Poole Hospital for medical treatment.
