Hi, Hoistop.
Having difficulty defining HEMS as it seems to mean different things in different places. For this project have generally regarded it as urgent helicopter transport and although many helicopters are designated for inter-hospital transfer, many still participate in primary missions. Also, offshore helicopters perform ' air ambulance' as well as urgent medical evacuations. I have encompassed most types if they include primary retrieval, but this is certainly a limitation of my study as in different countries different services undertake HEMS missions. In general I have excluded SAR, if there are dedicated HEMS in that country, but not if the SAR helicopters perform an integral and regular participation in HEMS tasks. Probably no clearer, am afraid. Not sure how to PM but will work it out. Have an email address at
[email protected]. Thanks for the input.