Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1281650
It's early morning. 0545 AM. I have just arrived at the HEMS Warsaw air base located in Babice Airport. At 0600 AM I will start 12-hours day of duty with the RATOWNIK 12 crew (callsign for Polish Medical Air Rescue helicopter, the rescuer). Every crew consists of a pilot, qualified paramedic and physician. The day begins by handing over the EC-135 helicopter from the last crew, checking the technical condition of the aircraft and its onboard equipment. It is crucial as the helicopter must be in pristine technical condition and have all the life-saving devices working properly for service in any time, day or night. After the check, together with the pilot and paramedic we move to the crew room, where the crew commander (the pilot) conducts a safety briefing. After the "official part" is over, there is a time for a chat with the paramedic that explains to me all the morning details and about the service in the LPR. As you may expect, the LPR medical air rescue service is a responsible and an uneasy job. During the 12-hours duty you have to be prepared for immediate rescue flight which may come in any moment. The response to the call must be instant. There are two types of helicopter missions conducted by LPR: HEMS and EMS. HEMS missions are related to the accidents or events where a helicopter is essential for quick transport of wounded to the hospital. EMS missions are urgent medical transport ope- rations from one hospital to the other, when the condition of the patient has changed suddenly. HEMS missions require the crew to be airborne three minutes after call. In case of EMS missions the time is up to 15 minutes after call. www.fragoutmag.com