Inside the Cornwall Air Ambulance

Space inside the Cornwall Air Ambulance is limited.

Unlike the early helicopters used to convey patients to hospital, the modern EC135 has side door access for the stretcher, as well as the clam doors which open out under the tail.

The front Paramedic 1 seat can be turned 180 degrees, to face front alongside the pilot, or to face the patient on the stretcher.

The Paramedic 2 seat faces the rear, but can be angled to give easier access to treating and monitoring the patient.

The third seat in the helicopter is sometimes used by a parent or grandparent when small children are air lifted to hospital, but this is not always the case. This seat is also sometimes used by doctors, who may accompany a patient who is being transferred to another specialist hospital out of county for urgent treatment or surgery not available here.

Equipment carried on board includes a range of monitors, which give the paramedics and the emergency teams in the hospitals receiving the patient, important information, such as heart rates, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels and so on.

There are many other carefully stowed bags and containers, each containing equipment, dressings and drugs used to save lives and manage the patients condition at the scene, and during the journey into hospital.

Much of the equipment is provided by the South West Ambulance Service Trust, but some of the specialist items needed on board the aircraft have been funded through charitable donations and fundraising.

The pliot sits to the right of the aircraft, and contrary to popular belief, is not a paramedic. His sole concern is with flying the aircraft and the safety of the passengers on board. Many of the mechanical and electrical systems on board modern aircraft like the EC135 are duplicated, the most obvious example being the engines themselves. Cornwall's air ambulance helicopter has gps type navigation systems, autopilot systems and many in built facilities to enable the helicopter to perform quickly and smoothly, as well as safely.

You can now make donations online

There are plenty of other ways to help.
Read here about other ways to help your Cornwall
Air Ambulance, help them today, you may need them tomorrow.