Rotorcraft
Vita Aerospace Unveiling Rapid Extraction Device
The new device enables safer hoisting of unconscious victims
Vita Pelican Rapid Extraction Device
Vita’s Pelican Rapid Extraction Device can safely hoist unconscious victims weighing up to 400 pounds. © Mariano Rosales/AIN

Hoisting victims from water, land, and other vertical extraction situations is challenging and often requires active victim participation. To solve this and other extraction problems, Vita Aerospace has unveiled the Pelican Rapid Extraction Device (RED), developed by Air Rescue Systems, which Heli-Expo attendees can see for the first time at the Vita exhibit.

The impetus behind the development of RED was to create a new category of device that is not only user-friendly but also doesn’t require the victim to be able to hold on, according to Vita Aerospace executive v-p Matt Christensen.