You see it in action moves all the time: Someone is in a bad spot or a car has landed in the water, and a helicopter comes in to pick everyone up. Now, some of this is just movie magic, but some of it is because helicopters are often instrumental in rescue operations. You may wonder why that is, but there are many reasons why helicopters are used in rescue operations.
Flight
One of the best reasons for helicopters to see use is their ability to fly. This might seem obvious, but helicopters are the fastest way to respond to most local situations where someone needs rescuing. Their ability to fly over obstacles and hover means that they’re instrumental during emergencies.
Flight Time and Speed
Other flying machines might be useful for rescues, but helicopters offer a perfect balance of speed and flight time. In other words, a helicopter can respond to a situation quickly and can stay there for as long as necessary.
Maneuverability
A helicopter’s flight pattern also puts it at an advantage. Although its control system is quite complex and pilots have to receive specific helicopter flight training, a helicopter can make tight turns, hover in place, and land in much smaller spaces since it does not need a runway.
Design
Helicopters also have specific design features that allow them to handle crisis situations. They can carry heavy loads at high speeds, with special equipment to handle them and whatever else the emergency might require.
Now, not every situation calls for a helicopter. Most of the time, police and firefighters are more than enough to handle a crisis. But now that you know why helicopters are used in rescue operations, you can see why there are cases—when time is of the essence, and someone needs immediate help—where a helicopter is the best option.