Mike Corey (Host)

They can't afford to waste a second.

Can't leave yet?

What are you talking about, Steve?

Well, sir, we don't have any night vision goggles.

Torpy explains that every pair of goggles is currently out with the first two helicopters.

It's so rare for all three helicopters to be deployed at once, especially at night, that no one noticed the shortage until now.

Lefevre swallows his frustration.

Torpy is right.

Without the goggles, it will be dangerous to fly at night, and next to impossible to spot survivors in the water.

The helicopter has a powerful floodlight, but its beam is narrow and really only useful for maintaining visual contact with survivors after they've been found.

They have no choice but to wait.

Still, that doesn't mean they can't use their time constructively.

By now, first helicopter commander Bill Addicks has been in clearer radio contact with the base, so they have a better idea of what they're up against.

Lefevre asks his men to start throwing out suggestions.

Mike Fish, the rescue swimmer, says they should bring extra flares.

Fred Kalt, the flight mechanic, offers up some strategies for the rescue basket that he'll deploy.

He orders a maintenance man to attach fluorescent green glow sticks to the basket to make it easier for the survivors to spot.

Then he goes off in search of something that can be used to weigh the basket down, so it won't flap around so much in the wind.

When Kalt returns, carrying two 50-pound shop bags, Torpy makes another suggestion.

Hey Fred, Attucks recommends we bring a second flight mechanic.