Helicopter rescue team's reputation soars

Yang Jianhui, a rescue swimmer, said carrying out an operation in the midst of a raging storm is like dancing on the tip of a knife. A helicopter rescue involves five crew members: a team leader, deputy pilot, hoist operator and two rescue swimmers who are lowered by winches, he said.

"Every operation relies on delicate coordination of the crews," Yang said. "Hoist operators are the 'eyes' of operations and rescue swimmers are the 'hands'."