Two Tasmanian teams were honoured for going above and beyond their remit at the 2019 Australian Search and Rescue Awards on Wednesday night.
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The team behind the rock climber rescue at Totem Pole, Cape Hauy, in the state's South on February 11 won the Professional Search and Rescue Award.
This team comprised Senior Constable C Williams, Constable N Mackintosh, paramedic E Byers, pilot C Fahey, Senior Constable C Herbert, Constable A Oakden, Constable C Rennie and Constable P Vanderwal.
They rescued the 26-year-old man and winched to safety after he suffered spinal injuries attempting to cross from Totem Pole back to Cape Hauy.
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Popular rock climbing location Totem Pole is a coastal stack that is approximately 65 metres tall and defined by steep, mostly vertical columns of rock.
POLAIR's crew conducted 18 winches during this rescue with the four rescue personnel, contending with sheer cliffs, deteriorating weather conditions and darkness, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said at the awards.
"The crew were exposed to extremely challenging conditions yet under extreme pressure managed to bring the patient to safety."
When a Devonport woman fell from the top of Parsons Falls, near Lake Mackenzie, in April, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, HEMS helicopter, road ambulance, uniformed and search and rescue police and five members of the public helped rescue her.
Athol Stuart Beer, Stewart John Geard, Craig Charles Neville, Anita Denholm and Kade Wooldrage were presented with the Non-professional Search and Rescue Award for providing "significant lifesaving assistance" to the woman becfore emergency services arrived.
"The attending paramedics later stated that the quick decision-making and response from the bystanders made a significant impact, and almost certainly saved the patient's life," the authority said.
The awards are presented by AMSA on behalf of the National Search and Rescue Council (NATSAR).
AMSA Response general manager and NATSAR chairman Mark Morrow said the selfless and brave actions of recipients in the face of imminent danger was inspiring.
"Their willingness to respond and the ability to maintain a calm and measured approach when confronted by danger, is a testament to the character of these recipients," Mr Morrow said.
"When someone is faced with a choice to take action or not, we see what people are made of - their bravery, professionalism and dedication are truly inspirational. These recipients have an enormous capacity to hold focus in spite of the risks and as a result six people are alive today because of their actions," he said.
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