Rescue Net: evacuating up to 10 people by helicopter
In Search and Rescue operations, finding people in need of rescue is only half the mission: they must also be brought to safety.
When there are many people to evacuate, the water is rising, or the terrain is impassable, every helicopter rotation becomes precious: flight time, fuel, and weather windows are limited. In these scenarios, Brüggemann’s Rescue Net offers a solution for group transport: a rescue net suspended beneath the helicopter, designed to carry up to 10 people in a single operation.
When a collective evacuation is needed
The winch is an essential tool in air rescue operations, enabling rescuers to reach people in places where a helicopter cannot land. When large numbers of people need to be evacuated, however, other solutions designed to transport several people together may be worth considering.
These scenarios include floods cutting off entire communities, earthquakes making roads impassable and leaving groups stranded where helicopters cannot land, shipwrecks with numerous survivors in the water, wildfires blocking escape routes, and the evacuation of personnel from a military operational zone. In all these situations, the ability to transport multiple people in a single operation can help make the evacuation more efficient. Military and civilian rescue forces may therefore use external-load systems such as rescue nets.
Brüggemann’s Rescue Net: what it is and how it works
The Rescue Net is a collapsible rescue net suspended beneath a helicopter, designed by Brüggemann, a German company specializing in parachutes and equipment for the aerial transport of cargo.
It is intended for rescue and evacuation operations and can accommodate 2 to 10 people. The net is carried as a suspended load. It is not designed to be lowered or retrieved using a winch.
Its structure combines an aluminium frame, nylon webbing, and steel components. When unfolded, the net has a base measuring 1.7 × 1.7 meters and a total height of 3 meters. People climb in through the side openings and remain contained within the net during transport.
It has a cargo capacity is of up to 1,400 kg, allowing it to be used for transporting equipment as well. The maximum transport speed is 80 km/h.
Two features make it particularly versatile in operational terms:
• Use on different platforms: the net can be attached to helicopters with or without a Load Hook Frame.
• Compact size: The frame folds down to 1.7 × 1.0 × 0.08 meters. Weighing
25 kg, the net can be stowed on board or at base and ready for use.
The operating principle is simple, and that is precisely its strength. People enter the net on the ground or in the water and the helicopter lifts and transports the group to a safe area without having to land in the emergency zone.
The Rescue Net is part of Brüggemann’s line of rescue and emergency equipment, developed for search and rescue teams.
Two versions for two operational environments
The Rescue Net is available in a military version and a civilian version. They share the same basic design but differ in their access points and equipment.
The military version (P/N 900818-12) has one access point, a ring at the top attachment point and a protective mat underneath. It is approved for military aviation under approval number ML 1670-125. It is supplied with three suspension slings measuring 4 m, 8 m and 16 m, which can be combined to provide a total length of up to 28 m.
The complete assembly (P/N 903090-12) includes the military Rescue Net, a carrying bag and the three suspension slings. All components have NSN codes.
The civil version (P/N 900818-11) is approved by civil aviation authorities under number LBA/EASA 11.401/36. Its upper attachment point is a webbing loop rather than a metal ring. It has four access points with hook, one on each side, allowing people to enter from different directions. The supply includes the net only, without the protective mat underneath, carrying bag or extension slings.
For full technical specifications of the available configurations please refer to the product sheet on the website.
Avioconsulting: the leading partner for SAR in Italy
Choosing a collective evacuation system involves assessing several factors: the helicopter platform in use, the most common operational scenarios, civilian or military certification requirements, and the logistics of managing the components. It is not simply a matter of purchasing a product. The right configuration must also be selected and integrated into operational procedures and crew training.
For over thirty years, Avioconsulting has supported organisations and operators in the aviation and maritime sectors in selecting certified SAR equipment that meets their operational needs. As Brüggemann’s Italian partner, Avioconsulting supports customers from requirements analysis and the selection of the most suitable configuration, civilian or military, through to technical and documentation support for compliance with Italian and international regulations.
When the mission is to bring as many people as possible to safety in the shortest possible time, choosing the right equipment is the first step. For information about the Rescue Net, available configurations, or technical and sales support, contact the Avioconsulting team. We will work with you to identify the solution best suited to your mission.
To receive a quote, learn more about a consulting engagement, request a product inspection or maintenance, or simply get in touch with Avioconsulting, please fill out the online form.