EMS Best config
 

Thomas Coupling

You may be an accomplished Pilot, but just exactly was the last time you intubated from the side - or ever at all? :confused:


Again, i would stick to flying mate :{

All i would like to say, is that it has to be a very good paramedic who can intubate from the side, and then it is not guaranteed to get into the trachea, but induce vomiting from entering the oesophagus. Even if a bougee was inserted you would still need to get the macintosh blades in the right angle to insert the damn thing, and get it into the correct hole (Since the two sit practically ontop of each other) I could appreciate that a tracheostomy can be performed side on, but most paramedics arn't trained to that level.

Visualisation of the vocal chords is the gold standard in intubation, and i am sorry mate, that ain't possible. Even when you are directly behind the head it is quite difficult, especially with all the vibration of a chopper going on. :ok:

XEMS


Never a truer word spoken. Nice one.:ok:

Avnx EO

http://www.luftambulansen.no/foto/fo...ur1258x750.jpg

EC 135 Config showing two seats available

http://www.luftambulansen.no/foto/fo...6a1241x750.jpg

Fish eye view of EC 135 passenger bay

http://www.luftambulansen.no/foto/fo...8w7273x750.jpg

BO-105 with four people in it

I could only find some pikkies, but the EC-135 shows room for both views, both side and head. The BO is like a sardine can. The patient is supposed to be where the defib is ..;) I know which one i would rather be in. Couldn't find more on the other types.

The position when in a normal flying attitude,. is good, because it keeps the blood pool in the centre of the body and head. i think it is called the trendellenburg position, and sometimes the paramedic can alter the stretcher in normal ambulances to simulate this position.

Regards

MD 900 :ok:

MD900:

Seems you agree after all - intubation can and has been done from the side...atleast here with our paramedics.

Nice excerpt from one of your paramedics (above) though:suspect:

If you do this job long enough, you'll see quite a lot, it seems
As you'll no doubt find out for yourself one day!

Nice piccies though...paramedic pilot and photographer to boot . :D

RU West Mids?

The Best Heli Air Ambulance
 

Hi Guys,

Please share your opinions on what you think might be the best (all things considered) Helicopter Air Ambulance available today.

Victoria, Australia, Latrobe Valley Airfield, the best in my humble opinion:ok:

Do you mean aircraft type or service operator?

Inter-facility transfer: S76

Scene work: EC 145/135



All round performer/value for money: EC 135


(Although a skid-equipped EC 155 with 333 engines and a winch would be my fantasy for SPIFR EMS ):}

Sorry I meant Aircraft type,

Thanks,

James

J-R,

Its a bit more complicated than just which type is best. Where do you want to do EMS (which country), what is the operational requirement, what hours, what type of flying (VFR/IFR) what sort of operational area, how much money do you have?

All these things affect basic features of the aircraft (starting with single or twin).

Bell 412EP with four axis autopilot and Air Methods interior...assuming they have found some place to put the medical inverters instead of under the pilots seats.:ok:

It would be operational in the Republic of Ireland pretty much 24/7 and in most weather conditions, operating in and out of a select few suitable hospitals within the Dublin area...

J-R,

I am no expert on Irish requirements but I vaguely recall that they require FULL IFR at night. That presumably means M/E with all the IFR bits. In the UK HEMS does not work at night, because they would need extra kit to do off-airfield landings (nightsun possibly TI etc.) Don't know if this would also apply in Ireland.

How are the Irish regulators about IFR approaches to helipads? Do they permit GPS approaches?

If you need all the bits, then I doubt that the EC135 will have the necessary grunt (especially if you need full IFR fuel reserves)

Are we talking single pilot?

I don't have direct experience of the type but a BK117/EC145 sounds about the right size/performance etc. I am sure that McAlpine would be happy to sell you one (or two) given their latest sales initiative.

Interesting Project

An interesting and challenging project given the amount of red tape thats seemingly involved.

Ill check out these machines,

Thanks,

James

James

Check your PM's

Dan

B412 upgraded to an AB139 if you want the best mix of SPIFR/search/winch rescue capability/specialist doctor-paramedic/two attended intensive care patients - anything else is a compromise.
GAGS
E86

Ok Guys, reality check time.

I'm sorry, but intubating is an extremely demanding and difficult skill at the best of times, let alone side on in a HEMS aircraft.

Pilots may think it easy and indeed some big-balled Paramedics may say its easy, but lets stick with the facts.

Its not easy at the best of times, doesn't alway go right and I defy anyone to listen for breath sounds after an intubation on a helicopter ! Capnography is wonderful, if you have it !

Ok Guys, I have watched this post for a while and took into consideration all the pros and cons for each machine but I personally think the best platform for EMS operations is the Kaman K-max.

Unsurpassed Visiblity
No tail rotor strike issues
Huge payload
Small foot print to get into the tight confined areas
Plenty of power
Single pilot ops.

EMS K-MAX

Alfa Helicopetrs in the Czech Republic use the Bell 427. From what their pilots tell me, it is a very good machine.

Cheers BigMike