BBC: Air Medics
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Hey Splot, I'm glad I wasn't the only one irritated by the constant countdown! 
Stunning photography over the Fells!
Daft girly-whirly question alert .....
Would the 109 have been less likely to sink into the ground if it had had skids instead of wheels and if so, why use a 109 - wouldn't that be an occupational hazard?
Cheers
Whirls
Stunning photography over the Fells!
Daft girly-whirly question alert .....
Would the 109 have been less likely to sink into the ground if it had had skids instead of wheels and if so, why use a 109 - wouldn't that be an occupational hazard?
Cheers
Whirls
Chief Bottle Washer
Joined: Sep 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: PPRuNe
Originally Posted by Whirls
Would the 109 have been less likely to sink into the ground if it had had skids instead of wheels and if so, why use a 109 - wouldn't that be an occupational hazard?
Joined: Jul 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
Posts: 3,052
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From: UK
So, do I take it that the first hour is important, or something? Otherwise, a great series. I imagine that their donations will sky rocket after this. 
And Whirls - back of the aircraft spotting class for you. G-HEMS is an AS365, not a 109! (It started it's Hems life in London, incidentally.) And yes, skids are better for soft ground. But, as always, the choice of aircraft is always a compromise. In this case, the AS365 trades skids for speed.
Otherwise, a great series. I imagine that their donations will sky rocket after this. And Whirls - back of the aircraft spotting class for you. G-HEMS is an AS365, not a 109!
(It started it's Hems life in London, incidentally.) And yes, skids are better for soft ground. But, as always, the choice of aircraft is always a compromise. In this case, the AS365 trades skids for speed.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 684
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From: Here.
Great photography from Castle Air, good content, shame the last five minutes let it down when they interviewed the 'recovered' patients on a 'handycam' using sound from the camera mic........thought it was very insensitive as well to have pinned a lapel mic to the paralysed patient's bed clothes......oh and if I here the words 'golden hour' one more time...............!
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Oops, that'll teach me for multi-tasking and trying to watch a programme whilst ironing and being otherwise domestic!! 
Anyway, it was white and green.
Cheers
Whirls
Anyway, it was white and green.
Cheers
Whirls
Considerably Bemused Wannabe
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 498
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From: UK
A great programme I thought. What was the episode called again, something about a "Golden Hour"? Oh that's right, they only mentioned it about 50 times 
The aerial photography was fantastic. I've never ventured around those parts before, the scenery looks stunning.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
S
The aerial photography was fantastic. I've never ventured around those parts before, the scenery looks stunning.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
S
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: England
I thought the obviously valuable work of the medics was spoiled by the banal narration and the drive by the producer to over-dramatise every scenario.
Also, I couldn't help noticing that for every call, apart from the one in the Lake District, a land ambulance was either already on scene or arrived shortly after the air ambulance. Is the 'Golden Hour' mentioned that crucial or was it a case of justifying a very expensive asset?
The job in the Lake District looked like it was crying out for a proper SAR helo with a winch, why wasn't one of those used ? It looked like bl**dy hard work for the medics just to get to the casualty.
I am not criticising the GNAA's efforts as I would certainly be delighted to see them if I was in a crash. It's just that I expect higher production standards from the BBC.
CR
Also, I couldn't help noticing that for every call, apart from the one in the Lake District, a land ambulance was either already on scene or arrived shortly after the air ambulance. Is the 'Golden Hour' mentioned that crucial or was it a case of justifying a very expensive asset?
The job in the Lake District looked like it was crying out for a proper SAR helo with a winch, why wasn't one of those used ? It looked like bl**dy hard work for the medics just to get to the casualty.
I am not criticising the GNAA's efforts as I would certainly be delighted to see them if I was in a crash. It's just that I expect higher production standards from the BBC.
CR
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 87
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From: Over the hills and far away
Any particular reason for the three different aircraft types, or is it a case of take what you can get?
I imagine it would be a bit of a headache ops/maintenance/paperwork-wise, and that operating the same type (e.g. YAA's 2 Explorers) would be easier to manage and more cost effective?
Great programme, let's hope the public dig deep in their pockets
I imagine it would be a bit of a headache ops/maintenance/paperwork-wise, and that operating the same type (e.g. YAA's 2 Explorers) would be easier to manage and more cost effective?
Great programme, let's hope the public dig deep in their pockets
Red On, Green On
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,490
Likes: 2
From: Between the woods and the water
the banal narration and the drive by the producer to over-dramatise
Despite the scenery and the programme content I switched off after ten minutes. Another mention of the Golden Hour and the telly was going to get the rock star treatment. Good stories totally ruined by crass media-luvvies who think the sun shines from their fundament.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,196
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From: Among these dark Satanic mills
The job in the Lake District looked like it was crying out for a proper SAR helo with a winch, why wasn't one of those used ? It looked like bl**dy hard work for the medics just to get to the casualty.
Frequently, it turns out that the air amb cannot actually recover the cas at all, resulting in the SAR helo being tasked long after the incident started, creating an unnecessary delay for the casualty. There seems to be no comprehension that the SAR helo can be stood down while still en route if other agencies manage to resolve the incident in the meantime, surely it would be better to ask for a SAR helo and turn it away empty-handed than wait until every other option has been explored before admitting defeat.
And yes, much effort has been expended (and wasted) on trying to pass on this message to the relevant people. Sad, but true.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5
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From: UKdom
Does a SAR helo carry the ECG equipment on board that they used to have a look at the chaps heart with?
From a medical point of view would the 'drama' experienced by a chap with suspected heart problems getting winched by a helicopter and whizzed off to hospital pose a potential risk?
From a medical point of view would the 'drama' experienced by a chap with suspected heart problems getting winched by a helicopter and whizzed off to hospital pose a potential risk?
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 684
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From: Here.
Quick question......who is it that decides to send the Air Ambulance on a particular job.....I noticed that not all of the 'shouts' were to rural locations so does it depend on whether a road ambulance can reach a hospital within a given time, if it can't they send for the Air Ambulance?