EMERGENCY rescue volunteers took part in a training exercise in Westcott last week.
Surrey Search and Rescue (SurSAR) was given permission by National Trust to simulate a rescue on Landbarn Farm on Thursday.
The training day was a joint exercise with HM Coastguard, which gave SurSAR team members an introduction to helicopter and winch evacuations.
Pier Page, a SurSAR medical officer and doctor, said: "SurSAR is a Lowland Rescue unit and like our Mountain Rescue colleagues may find itself managing casualties in locations inaccessible to ambulances.
"We have previously managed such scenarios in conjunction with our colleagues at Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, but a helicopter such as the one we used today gives us the option to extract casualties on a winch without the helicopter actually having to land.
"This means we can rescue people from far more confined spaces, or where flat landing sites are scarce which is ideal for areas such as the Surrey Hills."
The training was facilitated by the National Trust, which owns Landbarn Farm and areas of the Surrey Hills where a helicopter evacuation could well be necessary.
Head warden Rob Hewer said: "We delighted to be able to help with such an important part of the emergency training.
"I have been a long-term fan of volunteers at SurSAR."
