they have been changing styles on a dime doing whatever it takes to pull people to safety. these guys were ready to launch in a raft. instead they've been in a helicopter all day long. their skills transferable because they were with the military. they've done rescues before. so they're going to be out here all day long. >> on the other side of the screen we're showing those rescues taking place the with unds that you shot on the helicopter. tell me from the moment you determined that you're picking somebody up, what's the time to when you make that determination to when they're in the helicopter? >> it only takes a few minutes. it depends on the people who are being rescued offer of the ground. the guys in the air are able to get down that laerd in a matter of seconds. it depends on how long it takes to get the elderly or the small children into that basket. once that basket is secure, then they begin to rise it up to the helicopter. and ali, it is a harrowing experience. you see that helicopter, that basket -- >> it looked like a harrowing