The normal working day starts with the morning aircraft and equipment check. The aircraft is equipped to the same high standard as other Road Ambulances and all gasses and electrical equipment must be checked for serviceability.
The helicopter is tasked through the Operations Room at East Midlands Ambulance Service in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, who decide whether the helicopter is needed. When the alert call comes through the pilot goes directly to the aircraft to start the engines, while the details of the call are being taken by the aircrew. By the time the medics reach the aircraft and strap themselves in, the aircraft is ready for take off. The response time from call to aircraft being airborne is just over two minutes.
When airborne the air crew assist the pilot with navigation and look out for any hazards. The pilot selects the best landing point at an incident.
While the medics are dealing with the incident the pilot will bring any other equipment they may require and also prepare the aircraft for accepting a patient if the casualty is to be airlifted. Ambulance Control are informed in advance of the patient’s condition and the destination hospital so that they may warn the receiving hospital to prepare their helicopter landing site.
Usually, the patient has been stabilised before being placed on the aircraft but when on board Medic 1 has the patient’s head at his knees which allows him to keep a careful watch on the patients airway. They also have all the monitoring equipment (cardiac monitor and pulse oximeter) directly in front of them. Medic 2, who is by the patient’s side, has full access to the patient. Both medics are able to communicate via the aircraft intercom system. Patient in flight emergencies are rare due to the short flight times, but if necessary, a full resuscitation may and has been carried out.
The flight time of a patient from an incident to the nearest hospital with suitable facilities takes, on average, six minutes.
The helicopter currently operates in daylight hours giving up to 12 hours in peak summertime.