Regarding the letter in Friday’s Echo, about the SAR Helicopter, given that our community has many water-based activities I feel that basing the helicopter here is essential. As a diver neither I nor any of my fellow club members go out looking to get decompression sickness or any other injury, but this is a risk we take as scuba diving is an adventurous sport. Our training and that of all divers, is designed to minimise this risk, however it can and does happen and so to have the SAR helicopter local is reassuring.

Having to wait for a helicopter to arrive from Southampton or Falmouth, will mean a longer and more agonising wait for someone who could be seriously ill.

This is obviously just from a divers’ perspective, but the SAR Rescue helicopter is used by many and not just those that don’t plan or prepare for emergencies. So I would say to that letter writer that the helicopter is needed in the Weymouth and Portland area.

Kevin Jones Address supplied