CHC Air Ambulance Helicopters

Jayden Laing · #1 27th January 2009, 08:50 PM

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

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...001021,00.html

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

Troy R. · #2 27th January 2009, 08:55 PM

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 · #3 27th January 2009, 09:01 PM

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 · #4 28th January 2009, 05:15 PM

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???

Nigel C · #5 28th January 2009, 06:09 PM

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 · #6 28th January 2009, 06:51 PM

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

Nigel C · #7 28th January 2009, 07:18 PM

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. · #8 28th January 2009, 08:14 PM

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 · #9 28th January 2009, 08:54 PM

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 · #10 29th January 2009, 08:29 AM

Fair call.