Rescuers tell – Michael Nesterenko

The professional holiday of rescuers of Russia is getting closer. And today, Michael Nesterenko, 1st class rescuer of the Search and Rescue Support Service of the Moscow Aviation Center, answers the questions of our column “Rescuers tell”.

How did you get into the lifeguard profession? How old were you and what did you do before (what profession did you get)?

— I came into the profession in 2008, when I entered the Training and Methodological Center for Civil Defense and Emergency Situations in Moscow for the rescuer training program. At that time, I was doing technical and far from saving people work, but I always wanted to help. I did not think that this would become my main and favorite pastime. Competent teachers and mentors instilled in me a love for the rescue business. I gained a lot of knowledge and unique experience, after graduating for two years I combined my main job with duties in the public search and rescue squad “Spasrezerv”. The profession fascinated me so much that in 2012 I mastered the specialty “firefighter”, which allowed me to fight fire and save people from burning houses.

– What is the most difficult thing in your profession?

– Remain cool in any situation and not get lost. It is impossible to prepare in advance for this or that incident, so decisions are made on the spot in a limited time. Experience comes with practice. Now, when I take over for a shift and go on field trips, I don’t feel any excitement or fear, but it wasn’t always like that. We work in a team and therefore we will definitely find a way out of the situation that has arisen, we will quickly solve problems.

Tell us about a particularly memorable case from practice.

– We arrived at the request – the dog fell into a narrow hole. It was a metal pipe 40 centimeters in diameter and 7 meters long, which went down vertically. Having lowered a camera with a lantern on a rope, we saw a puppy lying at the bottom of the pipe. There was no way to get to him. I remember going through a lot of options in my head – the decision did not come. At some point, I even thought that it would not be possible to get a dog. Fortunately, having remembered all the skills of working with climbing equipment, we came up with a way to fasten the rope to the puppy and pull him out of the trap. The dog was rescued.

– What do you do outside of work?

— I like to work with my hands — to make something out of metal and leather. I dream of my workshop, where you can create any thing. I also really like walks in the forest, hiking with tents.

– Wish something to your colleagues for the Day of the Rescuer.

– I wish my colleagues, of course, health! And also – to develop in your profession and gain new knowledge. This is what helps to find a way out of the most difficult situations and save those who need us!