CHC Air Ambulance Helicopters

[Jayden Laing]

Was reading the news websites today & came across this article.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,24961169-5001021,00.html

Very interesting & feel sorry for the poor guys having to put up with such conditions.

[Troy R.]

NSW Government does it again. I can't believe they allowed the contractor to provide machines without airconditioning. That is a complete disgrace.

[Grahame Hutchison]

I watched one Agusta 139 departure from Bankstown and one of the crew members had a full wet suit on carrying flippers etc. This was on a hot day, but not as bad as last Saturday, that would be unbearable.

[Jayden Laing]

Must say that these guy's are courageous to step into those machines with such hot weather. Will they ever fit them out with air conditioning??? If so, when???:mad:

[Nigel C]

Would it be a fair comment to suggest they are rather heavy as it is with the medical equipment already carried on board as standard, therefore the addition of an airconditioning unit would further limit the useful range, so not considered as a necessity?

[Jayden Laing]

I can see where you are coming from Nigel but can i say,
What would be more important, Pilots health (after all they are the ones who fly the helicopters) OR flying range.
I certainly would like to look after my pilots because without them, no one could fly the helicopters. Dont know about anyone else's opinions:confused:

[Nigel C]

Unless having that extra range meant they could get to Trundle to save a farmer who's trapped under his tractor without having to refuel along the way....

Comfort or range? I'll have to disagree with you on this one and go for range.

[Troy R.]

I would have to disagree with you Nigel. There is no point being able to get to the location if the crew, particularly the medical crew, are not fit to perform their role. Hot, tired medics can make poor clinical decisions. The other thing that no-one has mentioned is patient comfort. It can't be good for already ill patients to be placed in a sweat box when they are being transported.

There is only one way of viewing this fiasco... NSW Government trying to save money. Pure and simple.

[Mick F]

Nigel,
Have to agree with Troy. Coming from someone who works in the Aeromed field, I would not hesitate in grounding an aircraft if the air conditioning wasn't working, mainly because there is no use having a crew who are in such a state they can't perform their duties in a safe manner.

As we are constantly told, and have it re-enforced into us time and time again, crew before the patient. No use risking 3 lives to save 1.

Mick

[Nigel C]

Fair call.

[Jayden Laing]

Yeah. There is also a base for the helicopters in Orange. Its situated there apparently to service the whole of Central Western NSW.
Getting off topic a bit but does anyone, Maybe you Mick, know when Orange's new EC145 is due to replace the old Bell 412 for medical duties?? From what I have been researching, they (EC145) are slower & apparently have a shorter range than the AW139's based in Sydney.

[Mick F]

I would have no idea at all Jayden, I'm QLD based and fly B200's for a living, ;).

Mick

[Jayden Laing]

Sorry Mick. I just presumed when u said you were from the aeromed field, you were meaning based in NSW flying the helicopters. My mistake:o :D