Hi-tech helicopter joins the air ambulance fleet
THE skies above Devon have welcomed a new guardian to the ranks as the latest addition to Devon Air Ambulance’s fleet of life-saving helicopters has become fully operational.
After years of planning and collaboration on an international level, the charity’s state-of-the-art Airbus H145 is now in service.
Critical care paramedics are at the Exeter Airport base from 7am until 2am waiting for a call, and can be airborne and on their way to assist a patient within just two minutes.
In 2019, the Devon Air Ambulance assisted 985 patients, of which 10% were children, and since their launch in March the service’s two critical care cars have been deployed over 370 times.
Ian Payne, Devon Air Ambulance’s flight operations director, explains: “We were absolutely thrilled to bring the Airbus H145 home to the people of Devon. Their determination to raise the funds needed, coupled with our determination to deliver this magnificent aircraft, means we now have state-of-the-art flight systems and much improved space available to treat and convey patients.
“It has a bigger airframe than our EC135 and we have designed our own medical fit-out which includes a unique seating configuration so that up to three clinicians can all access a patient, either on the ground or when in flight, with their vital lifesaving equipment and monitors laid out systematically and within easy reach.”
In keeping with tradition, Devon Air Ambulance had plans to fly the new helicopter around the county to show her off and say thank you for the help that hundreds of supporters gave to bring the high-tech aircraft to fruition. However, with the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to stand in the way, the charity is looking to host a
The 145 eradicates this problem as all of our kit remains at the patient’s side and in easy reach JESS, DAA PARAMEDIC
series of virtual tours which will give a bird’s eye view and closer look at the H145’s spacious interior.
Specialist critical care paramedic, Jess, describes one of the main advantages: “The larger clinical area in the 145 means that we are able to keep more of our equipment with the patient in flight. With the smaller 135, prior to loading the patient, the clinical team must prioritise which equipment needs to be kept with the patient and which can be stowed in the front left-hand seat as there’s less space available to keep everything in the back.”
She continues: “Throughout the pandemic, this became increasingly challenging because a protective screen segregates us in the clinical area from the pilot in the cockpit, therefore once equipment is stowed in the front, it can’t be accessed. The 145 eradicates this problem as all kit remains at the patient’s side and within our easy reach.”
The H145’s pilot, Craig, pointed to the “amazing” Helionix Flight System as being his favourite part of the aircraft. He adds: “It’s an Airbus package and contains a fantastic range of information displayed clearly on a number of screens for the use of the pilot and paramedics in the cockpit.”
The H135 helicopter, formerly based in Exeter, has been relocated to the service’s North Devon airbase at Eaglescott, near Burrington, which means that Devon now has two aircraft with full night vision capability.