A Fire Brigade helicopter approaches the sand. The scene draws attention — and that is exactly when the risk grows. In the new episode of PodBradar, the official podcast of the Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Brigade (CBMERJ), firefighters from the Air Operations Group (GOA) have a warning for anyone who witnesses an operation, especially on the beach: the people around need to move away, not closer. The guidance applies to beachgoers, street vendors, kiosk owners and anyone who happens to be there when the aircraft lands.
Who this affects
Anyone near an air rescue operation. On Rio de Janeiro's beaches, that means beachgoers, families with children, pet owners, kiosk and beach-tent operators and people walking along the promenade. It also applies on public roads, in wooded areas and at accident sites where the aircraft needs to land or hover low.
A helicopter kicks up a dense cloud of sand, dust and loose objects. Beach umbrellas, tents, towels and bags can be thrown through the air. And there is a specific risk many people do not know about: the tail rotor. Because it is smaller and spins at very high speed, it is hard to see and extremely dangerous for anyone who comes close.
What to do when the aircraft approaches
- Move away immediately from the area where the aircraft is going to land, as soon as you see it coming.
- Never walk backwards towards the helicopter — always look where you are going.
- Close tents and umbrellas and gather up light objects that could be blown away by the rotor wash.
- Keep children and pets away from the operating area, always under direct supervision.
- Do not try to get closer to take photos or film. The selfie can wait; safety cannot.
- Never approach the helicopter while the rotors are turning, even if the aircraft appears to be stationary.
- Follow the instructions of the firefighters and lifeguards on the scene, without arguing or insisting.
- Clear the way for the aircraft and the rescue teams to leave as soon as the operation is over.
The faster the team completes the rescue and releases the helicopter, the faster it is available again for the next emergency. Crowds, onlookers and phones slow that cycle down — and the next call may be on another beach, with another life at stake.
General good practice at an emergency scene
Besides the guidance specific to air operations, the basic recommendations for any emergency apply: do not crowd around the casualty, do not move injured people without guidance from the team, do not film the rescue and keep access routes clear for emergency vehicles and ambulances. If you were the first to notice the emergency, tell the team clearly what happened and then step back. The best support a bystander can give is space.
Where to learn more and get prepared
Knowing how to act in the first minutes of an emergency saves lives. The Brazilian Red Cross — Rio de Janeiro Branch, part of the world's largest humanitarian movement, offers training open to the public in first aid and related subjects: see the in-person courses, taught in Portuguese, and take that knowledge home, to work and to your community.
For safety alerts, notices about the seafront and other public-interest information, visit the news section. Anyone who wants to sustain humanitarian work in the city can support the branch.
The full PodBradar episode, with the behind-the-scenes story of air operations told by the people who carry them out, is available on the CBMERJ's official channels, in Portuguese. In an emergency in Brazil, call the Fire Brigade on 193.
Based on information from the Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Brigade (CBMERJ) (@corpodebombeiros_rj), published on 1 September 2026 — original post, in Portuguese.
First published in Portuguese on 2 September 2026. Read the original →