Feature Story

ASTORIA, Ore. — Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Gaenzle, an aviation survival technician at Air Station Astoria, Ore., returns from a training flight aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, Aug. 22, 2011.

Gaenzle saved his first life in a daring cliff rescue near Archer Mountain in Skamania County, Wash., July 29, 2011.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nate Littlejohn

 

ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard rescues a 16-year-old climber who was injured after a 50-foot fall off a cliff side near Archer Mountain in Skamania County, Wash., July 29, 2011.

The individual was accompanied by another person of the same age who was not injured but also stranded on location.

U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Astoria, Ore.

 

Feature Release: Rising to the challenge

ASTORIA, Ore. — Some people are driven to perform dangerous, high-stress jobs. These unique individuals choose professions that put them in harm’s way, require impeccable split-second, decision-making skills and a knack for keeping their cool despite treacherous, life threatening conditions. For Petty Officer 3^rd Class Tyler Gaenzle, an aviation survival technician (AST) at Air Station Astoria, Ore., the sheer challenge of the job is what appeals to him.

“I wanted to do something challenging,” Gaenzle said. “The Coast Guard recruiter said this was the most challenging job in the Coast Guard. I told him to sign me up.”

Aviation survival technicians, better known as “rescue swimmers”, are lowered from Coast Guard helicopters to rescue people in distress. The nature of their job demands a set of strong personality traits.

“A rescue swimmer has to refuse to quit and have a good attitude,” stated Gaenzle.

Gaenzle’s refusal to quit, positive attitude and ability to remain composed and think clearly led to the successful rescue of an injured 16-year-old hiker and his companion, stranded on a cliff near Archer Mountain in Skamania County, Wash., July 29, 2011.

The harrowing situation, marking Gaenzle’s first search-and-rescue mission, provided more challenges than many far more experienced rescue swimmers have ever faced.  The unique area of responsibility for Sector Columbia River, Ore., provides a variety of missions and terrains.  Crews here perform rescues not only in and near the water but, as in this case, heavily forested, mountainous terrain.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria responded when Skamania County cliff rescue and high angle teams were unable to reach the injured hiker that evening.

In the dark, the crew spotted the stranded teenagers on a steep cliff side. Hovering approximately 150 feet above the survivors, the crew found a small opening in the trees barely large enough to perform a hoist.

“When we arrived on scene, we didn’t know if a hoist was possible,” said Gaenzle. “We couldn’t see any openings through the trees large enough for a safe hoist. After a few minutes we found a small open spot and decided, as a crew, to lower me down there to check it out.”

After being lowered through the opening, Gaenzle saw conditions less than favorable for a successful rescue.

“I found the cliff was steep with no level areas. I saw both teenagers. I knew one of them had fallen over 50 feet, was seriously injured and in a lot of pain. I realized that there would be nobody else who could get him out of there.”

Gaenzle was unable to reach the survivors while remaining clipped into his harness.

“At that moment I decided to disconnect from the cable and start making my way over to the teenagers.”

Despite the steep cliff face, Gaenzle was able to reach the boys. He checked the one who had fallen for injuries, and realized it was serious.

“I did a rapid trauma assessment. He had broken bones in his legs and serious back injuries to say the least.”

Gaenzle quickly summoned the courage of the injured hiker’s friend.

“Your buddy’s only chance of getting out of here is for us to work together and carry him up to the litter.”

They were able to get him onto a backboard, and after several close calls, made their way to where the injured hiker could be placed in the rescue litter and hoisted to the helicopter.

Soon everyone, including Gaenzle, was in the safety of the helicopter heading to the hospital.

Gaenzle’s thirst for challenge may be the driving force behind his motivation to perform the duties of a rescue swimmer, but that isn’t enough to ensure success.

He credits education, efforts of all flight crewmembers, and the mentorship of other swimmers with providing him the foundation required to perform successfully.

“School prepares you for the pressures and stresses that come with the job. They put you in a ton of situations where you’re tired and have nothing left. They put pressure on you and you have to perform and rise to the occasion. The guys in the swimmer shop in Port Angeles, where I started the Airman Program, were great mentors. My current chief and first class have prepared me very well and obviously I couldn’t have done my part of the rescue without the rest of the flight crew.”

“Tyler is one of the most energetic, motivated and motivating individuals I have ever met,” boasted Chief Petty Officer Jason Schelin, lead AST at Air Station Astoria.

“His drive and positive attitude are infectious. He has worked at a blistering pace to get qualified as an MH-60 Jayhawk rescue swimmer.  Gaenzle’s ability to take on the arduous task of getting qualified in such an efficient manner is a true testament to his dedication and outstanding work ethic.”

Schelin notes that Gaenzle’s desire to learn and meet challenges led to the successful rescue on the cliff that night.

“Gaenzle took all the skills, techniques, and advice we gave him and put it all together on his first case as a qualified rescue swimmer,” he said. “This case would have been a challenge for even the most experienced of rescue swimmers.”

“I remember watching the hoist footage, listening to the audio and commenting to the other ASTs as to how calm, cool, and collected Gaenzle came across during his radio communications with the helicopter. He sounded as if he was a seasoned operator and had been doing this for years.”

Gaenzle hasn’t been doing this for years, but after his performance on the cliff that July night, we hope he will keep it up for years to come.