Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) has revealed exciting plans to host virtual tours on board its new helicopter in 2021.
In November, the new Airbus H145 helicopter, based at Exeter Airport, went into service after many years of planning and international collaboration.
In Devon Air Ambulance tradition, the charity had pans to ply the new helicopter around the county to show it off and say thank you to their supporters.
However, with the pandemic continuing to stand in their way, DAAT there are now plans afoot to host virtual tours which will give us all a bird’s eye view and closer look at the interior of this medical machine.
Ian Payne, Flight Operations Director said: “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 life-saving equipment and monitors laid out systematically and within easy reach.”
Critical Care Paramedics are on site from 7am until 2am waiting for a call and can be airborne and on their way to assist their patient within just two minutes.
Specialist Critical Care Paramedic Jess said: “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.
“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.”
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