WELCOME TO PRIORITY 1 AIR RESCUE
Priority 1 Air Rescue (P1AR) was incorporated in 1999 and operates business offices in Valletta Malta and Vancouver Canada, and two Search & Rescue Tactical Training Academies (SART/TAC) located in Mesa, Arizona, US and Bordeaux, France. With over 20 years of proven performance relevant experience in our highly specialized profession, the Priority 1 Air Rescue group provides the most innovative and effective Helicopter Search & Rescue and Tactical Training and Operational SAR/MEDEVAC aircrew staffing, support, and program implementation capability in the world.
P1AR employs a full-time training division that provides a full spectrum of standardized courses and programs ranging from ab-initio to advanced mission that can be custom tailored operating anywhere in the world.
Our SAR/HEMS teams are also experienced in establishing and providing ‘turn-key’ SAR/HEMS program implementation including aircraft role configuration, mission equipment procurement, CAA Helicopter Hoist Operations (HHO/HEC) certification consulting, manuals, program audits, and complete program staffing for customers requiring full service Air Ambulance/HEMS or AWSAR/LIMSAR contract provisions and operational mission capabilities.
P1AR delivers and maintains dedicated aircrew staffing for Air Ambulance/HEMS and full AWSAR/LIMSAR comprised of Advanced Life Support SAR Paramedics, Hoist Operator/EMTs, and Helicopter Rescue Swimmer/EMTs, for world class emergency aeromedical and SAR response for commercial operators performing Commercial Oil and Gas, Government, and Military DOD SAR and Air Ambulance services all over the world.
For quotes or store inquiries, please email Sales@priority1airrescue.com
Course CataloguePriority 1 Air Rescue course catalogue provides a variety of training options for Operators engaged in multiple operational environments. Our instructors come from many different fields and provide world-class training.
SAR/MEDEVAC ServicesPriority 1 Air Rescue is the turn key solution for Government Agencies and Commercial Part 135 Operators who are interested in providing air medevac and rescue helicopter operations worldwide.
ShopCome check out our newly designed store for all of your SAR needs! From rappelling gear, hoisting equipment, and safety and survival PPE, Priority 1 Air Rescue is Your One Stop SAR Shop!
“Although I have been flying for twenty-five (25) years as a U.S. government aviator, I have never utilized a hoist as a hoist operator or as a rescuer on the hoist cable. When our Priority 1 class began, I sat in amazement as I watched the overview videos of what a well trained crew (hoist operator, rescue specialist and pilot) can accomplish together. I must admit I thought it would require months of training. As I prepare to depart back to my home station, I can now confidently operate in any one of the three positions very effectively. I would have never believed I could send a rescue specialist (RS) down and successfully pull victims out of a car window without my RS ever touching the ground, but I can do that easily now, additionally pulling personnel out of tight 10′ X 10′ holes in the woods is rather easy now as well. Thank you for your well thought out crawl-walk-run methodology that was tailored to our organization’s needs.“
News/Press Releases
Heli-Expo 2019
Come and visit us at HAI - Booth B2431 in Atlanta from March 5 to 7, 2019.
U.S. Coast Guard contracts P1AR for Hoist Operator Training
Priority 1 Air Rescue (P1AR), a world leader in helicopter search-and-rescue (SAR) mission operational support and training, has announced that it has been awarded a contract by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to provide instructor-led ab initio to advanced-level helicopter hoist operator training for flight mechanic aircrews operating both the MH-65 D/E and MH-60T helicopters.
The contract has a period of performance for up to five years and approximately 475 to 500 students. The USCG flight mechanics will attend the P1AR Search and Rescue Tactical Training Academy (SART/TAC) located in Mesa Arizona, to participate in ground school instruction, practice with USCG specific SAR equipment, and complete hoist procedural tower and synthetic training utilizing the virtual hoist simulator with P1AR instructors.
Historically, like many other military services the USCG has trained its helicopter hoist operators through on the job training employing a structured syllabus with all hoist practice and training completed in the aircraft during flight; gaining this qualification would take anywhere from four to nine months.
To meet the training challenges of the USCG’s increasingly demanding mission mandate and readiness needs, P1AR will provide the USCG a custom-tailored training solution to include eLearning and computer-based training (CBT), training guides and workbooks, interactive learning, and student training information management systems and support.
To address the very broad spectrum of USCG SAR mission requirements, P1AR will incorporate its proven instructional design approaches and standardized training modalities along with their state-of-the-art simulation system. The virtual hoist simulator will provide course participants the ability to complete mission specific hoist and SAR evolutions in operationally relevant environments and will further enhance crew readiness at reduced risk and cost, while also maximizing the training value.
P1AR’s mission training solutions comprise of an extensive array of training products and services, including live flight training, synthetic, and blended training solutions by employing synthetic training at SART/TAC, where experienced P1AR instructors prepare students to engage in basic fundamental skills to complex and realistic scenarios to develop intuitive decision-making skills so operators have the confidence to act appropriately and decisively during real missions.
“It is a tremendous honor to work with the USCG Office of Aviation Forces and USCG Aviation Helicopter Standardization Branches,” said Brad Matheson, president of Priority 1 Air Rescue. “This is certainly one of the most important achievements and undertakings that we have ever had the opportunity to participate in.
“We are committed to providing the USCG with innovative solutions that deliver dynamic, effective training programs to improve operational readiness and reduce training costs. Although the training program for the USCG is custom tailored and utilizes the latest version of our simulator technology, it is similar to our well proven standard ab-initio to advanced level inland/offshore SAR training program we have provided to our customers at SART/TAC since 2012.”