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This week is Flood Awareness Week and on Sunday crews demonstrated swift water rescues at Lady Bird Lake.

They also introduced a new helicopter hoist system they plan to use.

"What this hoist does, it actually gives us the capability to show up on scene and be ready to perform the rescue," Brian Johnson, a flight nurse and crew chief said.

"We're able to immediately upon identifying the victims, lower a rescuer down to them. Use any method that we have available and attach ourselves to them and get them out of harms way," Johnson said.

The hoist gives rescue crews nearly 300 feet of useable cable instead of the traditional 80 feet.

That means the helicopter can stay well above the water or ground, making it safer for everyone involved.

By: News 8 Austin Staff