At last somebody explains one of the most important roles of air ambulances-fill in the gaps of the road system as it can cover an enormous area fast and change as the requirement dictates with less resources ie personnel/ambulances, etc.
Where we operate we have a critical shortage on paramedics, trauma doctors and nurses. The air ambulances are often called because there are no other available crew to attend to the scene as a ambulance might be 1 hour + away or busy on another scene.
I can hear the sceptics say well just appoint more personnel and ambulances. Well work out for yourselve how many ambulances you would need to cover an areachoose any) and all worse case scenarios. Now find 2 crews min/ambulance fully trained and qualified for the job. If you have that many paramedics/doctors/nurses out of a job in your area, pls send them to us.
Radio alts should be a must at least. I can not understand that a factory new(EC AS350 for instance) machine get's certified without it!!