SAR is not BIG HEMS. It is principally about access, often in extraordinary circumstances. In a SAR helo this means that the principal skill set for all crew is airmanship, with the boy scout first aid badge or BSc Med Sci coming second. It may be time for the CAA to get over reorganising and create a bold and practical new approach to this.
Jim as one of the people originally responsible for moving the Medical Skills of Winchmen forward beyond the Boy Scout Big First Aid Badge I could not agree with you more.
It is unfortunate that those that came after me dictated the HCPC Paramedic qualification as a minimum requirement for SAR. The previous 'Paramedic' standard whether on SAR, Oil Rigs or Ambulance Service allowed a tailoring of training to meet the needs of the casualties whilst not taking away the clear requirement for all SAR rearcrew to be first and foremost Aircrew or in EASA speak 'Technical aircrew'.
The HCPC qualification and educational requirement within the UK was driven for one reason only - to ensure better pay rates for Ambulance Staff not, initially, as a way of improving provision or training.
There is still no legal impediment to SAR Winchmen being trained to 'EMT' level with additional skills and access to Drugs granted under medical supervision.
The future UK SAR and any other SAR Contract let by HMG have been hamstrung by the MOD and DfT specialists dictating HCPC registration and creating what will be a future career progression from NHS Paramedic to Winchman and later Winch Op resulting in lower pay rates and the demise of professional 'Technical Aircrew'.