Welcome

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter provides search and rescue services to the people of the Greater Sydney Region.

Since the Service began in Sydney in 1973, it has carried out more than 21,000 missions ranging from urgent patient transfers to dangerous search and rescue missions.

The Greater Sydney Region Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter is based at La Perouse in the Botany Bay National Park and has trained professional pilots and crew on call seven days a week, ready to respond to any search or rescue mission.

Situated less than 200 metres from the coast, the Helicopter has extremely quick access to the coastal waters and cliffs providing the most responsive service to the community of Greater Sydney. The Service can reach either the Royal National Park or Sydney Harbour within 6 minutes.

Despite delivering this vital community service, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter is a not-for-profit organisation. It is a free Service with the sole mission to save lives.

The Service depends entirely on the generous support of sponsors and the community to stay flying.

Please support your community helicopter …watching over you.

News & Events

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Fundraising Lunch

Friday 5 September, Waters Edge, The Rocks, Sydney

Featuring MC Sandra Sully and guest speaker Grant Kenny OAM

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service provides a vital community search and rescue service to the people of the Greater Sydney Region.

There is no cost to any member of the public who has been rescued by the Helicopter. It is a free service with the sole mission to save lives. The Service depends entirely on the generous support of sponsors and fundraising and donations to remain flying.

Join us on Friday 5 September 2008 and show your support for this vital community service. The service has a new look and feel and a mission to attract much needed public and corporate support

The fundraising luncheon will include Sandra Sully as MC, Olympian, Ironman,and businessman Grant Kenny OAM as guest speaker, some light entertainment and of course great food and some good networking opportunities.

This is a fantastic opportunity to provide some hospitality in a special venue for a unique service. We hope that you may consider this charitable event as something you can be a part of.

Buy some time. Keep us flying.

When: Friday 5 September
Where: WatersEdge, The Rocks, Sydney
Time: 12:30pm
Dress: Business Casual
Cost: $2,000 + GST per table (ten people)

For more information email info@lifesaver.org.au or call the Helicopter Base on 02 9311 3499.

Rock Fishing Tips

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter responds to many rock fishing incidents, and unfortunately rock fishing related fatalities, along the NSW coastline.

Chief Crewman Tony Wood has issued these very helpful tips to ensure your safety while rock fishing.

Never fish by yourself – stay in sight of another person fishing
Inform others of your plans and carry a mobile phone.
Wear light clothing – it will allow you to swim easily if you are washed in
Check tides and weather – avoid fishing in dangerous conditions and observe tide changes.
Wear appropriate footwear – with non-slip soles – and avoid the waters edge.
Wear a life jacket or PFD and carry safety equipment incase someone should fall in.
Observe first – fish later – spend time watching the fishing spot before actually fishing
Plan an escape route – if washed in, stay calm and swim AWAY from the rocks to look for a safe place to come ashore or stay afloat and wait for help
Don’t ever turn your back on the sea
Ask advice from locals

IF YOU WITNESS SOMEONE BEING WASHED INTO THE OCEAN, follow the simple steps:

DO NOT jump in if someone is washed into the water
Use a rope, Angel Ring close by, something that floats to rescue the person
Dial 000, or 112, from your mobile or go get help

'The Chopper That Saves Lives'

‘The chopper that saves lives’. Check out a story about the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter on SMH Online.