On Thin Ice

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7769953.stm
takes you to the media view of what happened when an ambulance was conveying an already very sick child from Preston to Leeds
This always makes my stomach somersault. I feel sick and this time is no different.
We'll turn out to all manner of bumps and prangs but seeing one of your own type as i see this one makes me feel distinctly uncomfortable.
My hopes and thoughts go out to all involved.
For those inside and those who turned out to attend this incident.

Looking from a crew member perspective i hope that the crew involved have all the help they need. That they are not pre-judged as is so easy to do. That management explore what has happened with a sympathetic, empathetic and understanding heart.

thank you to the bbc for this pic.

I also hope that the services across the UK look even more closely at crew safety.
The fact that we have to stand to do anything indicates that we are using vehicles that are too big.
By rights, we should be able to do emergency work within the confines of something no or little bigger than a Renault Espace/ Ford Galaxy.
They allow some height for forward vision but also afford less chance of turning over in the event of a slippery incident. The attendant can remain sat and find kit within easy reach and be safe.
they're also alot more comfortable than vehicles in the light goods sector.
Mercedes make great cars that are very comfortable. Mercedes make great lorries that are very comfortable but the LGV sector is forgotten. Not just by Mercedes but VW, Renault, Ford etc etc. They are perceived as moving merchandise over comparitively short distances.
Lorries may be carrying loads but they travel significant distances so the driver must feel comfortable for as along as possible. Cars need to appeal to everyone else so they, too, have a better ride.

If we must continue to use LGVs for ambulances then the companies must look at improving suspension and general ride comfort... and stability.
It wouldn't go amiss if councils were more aware of the state of their roads and actively did something positive to rectify the bumpiness that is in existence all over the UK.

The other knock-on effect of bad roads is the damage done to vehicles. We regularly have suspension and bearing issues as the front wheels (usually the nearside) drop into potholes. The rest of the weight of the vehicle follows and creates further damage - to say nothing about playing rock n roll on some poor spinal case perched on a long board after parting company with their 1000cc machine on a marble-laden corner in mid Wales.
Helicopters are not always available and air ambulances.

The ambulance service is just that. The National Health Service is just that. Whilst each require a business plan of some description it should not be forgotten that the NHS and it's various departments is...... a service.
It is the biggest money pit but if this country truly wants the best healthcare system in the world then money does have to be put in. And a few more indians and a few less chiefs wouldn't go amiss.

Again, my thoughts go to all involved with the accident.

Whirlybirds

The more dealings I have with helicopters the more they fascinate me. Forget ambulance-chasing try chasing Air Ambulances. In the main, in the UK, they are red. A few, like those in Yorkshire, are yellow. So, whichever their colour, they stand out. And they make a lovely sound as the air shudders and vibrates. Certain helicopters have very distinctive sounds. The easiest of all to recognise is the military CHINOOKs with the twin rotar system. Not nicknamed Wokka Wokkas for nothing. The whole ground shakes when they're about.

I've also been under a RAF SARS Seaking (also yellow) and it loosened the rubber-doings that help seal windscreens. A colleague and I had to hold on firmly to our work's motor as it...she ( All motors are SHEs to me)... bounced about due to the downforce from the Seaking. It took weeks before the last of the dust was cleansed from the motor. It felt like almost as many weeks to rid it from me!

The RAF also use Gazelle and they carry a high-pitch whine that's unmistakeable.

Quieter are the MD (MacDonnell Douglas) Explorers that some of the police use as they do not have a tail-rotor.(system referred to as NOTAR)

http://www.mdhelicopters.com/gallery/MDExplorerPix/pas1.jpg

This a great pic of the Wiltshire Police chopper but, if you look, it also has the Crown badge of the Uk Ambulance Service as the two work together.

In Wales, there are 3 police choppers but they're all different.

In North Wales they have a Eurocopter EC-135.

South Wales and Gwent have a Eurocopter EC13T2i

and Dyfed-Powys have, I think, an Augusta 109Power.

For the time being, the Welsh Ambulance Service uses three Bolkow 105s.

Next on the list are the EC-135s

Below that site will show what's being flown by the police and ambulance services around Britain.

http://www.gloster.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/based.htm

I don't know why they hold such a fascination. I love the way they can manoeuvre, they way they sound and even the smell of the Avgas.

So now, with camera to hand, if i hear that vibration of the airwaves i try to get a picture of something buzzing about... be it red or yellow or whatever.

Say hello to Helimed 59, who operates out from Welshpool International Airport