Rescue chopper

It's one of those components that one can put aside after the turmoil.

Up until now I had only thought of my rescue fleetingly and without stopping to cogitate.

I was prompted to think about it today while listening to a rural programme where a rescue team member was talking about rescue missions he had done.

The chopper that  came to me that grey day was a westpac chopper and he couldn't land on my roof so I had to be winched up.

It's certainly something you do in the heat of the moment. If you had time to stop and think  you would most likely freak out.

I recall when the chopper was right above me it looked bloody huge and it was so noisy.

I  didn't want to look up but had to.

The guy came down on the winch cable and calmly said how are goin?

He told me he would hook me on and said 'just relax'

Just relax. I will never forget that. But in fact I did just that.

I was winched up and turned a little on the way trying not to look down and holding on tight to my grab bag with some  valuables and toothbrush.

Getting in to the chopper was  the worst part. More like a clamber .Trying not to look down again . He yelled( noisy) get to the back and pointed to a seat.

We faced the wind and we were up and off.

I did it.

I had been in iriquois before but this was a different scene. It was all fear, anxiety, the will to survive, acting calm , the height of alertness all wrapped up in about 15 minutes of action.

The devastation below as we flew to safety was just unbelieveable.

I still want to track down the guys who saved me and thank them.