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Electrostatic Discharge During Helicopter Hoist Operations: A Nationwide Prospective Study of the Norwegian Search and Rescue Service

Across 839 SAR hoist operations, electrostatic discharge occurred in 28 (3.3%). It was more likely over water; several incidents caused injury, equipment failure or termination of the hoist.

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  • Author(s): Jostein Rødseth Brede; Andreas Storli; Stian B. von Tangen-Jordan

  • Source: JACEP Open

  • Publisher(s): Elsevier, on behalf of the American College of Emergency Physicians

  • Publication date: 18 July 2026

  • Country: Norway

Why it matters: This is field data rather than a simulation. It highlights that weather, operating surface and grounding arrangements can directly affect crew safety and mission continuity—and therefore need explicit consideration in tasking and contingencies.

Transferability and limitations: Nationwide prospective data, but from one Norwegian SAR service and one operational context. It is most directly relevant to helicopter/winch teams; ground teams benefit chiefly through better understanding of aircraft interface risks.

Training influence: Build a practical helicopter-interface scenario around poor weather and water operations: identify hazards, establish grounding/communication expectations, decide abort criteria and plan the ground-team contingency if the hoist cannot proceed.

SAR training sections: Field safety; casualty evacuation; resource selection and tasking; communications; planning decisions and contingencies; team-leader practice.

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