Our highly skilled crew makes decisions every day, decisions that can mean the difference between life and death. The decision-making process starts before they even get to the patient. It starts at the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) base.
When a call comes in, the crew decides whether to fly or drive
“The method of transport should be whichever gets us to the patient the quickest. We are privileged with a great road network, with our base situated on an interchange – so the ground distance we can cover by car is surprisingly far. We are probably talking of equal journey times by car and air when responding from base to areas such as Gloucester or Weston-super-Mare. However, both these locations are immediately off the motorway whereas areas of a similar distance, such as Cirencester or Coleford, are rapidly reached by air because of the road network.”
- Matt Robinson, Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care
The crew uses an iPad app called Airbox ACANS for flight planning and en-route navigation. ACANS provides instant access to specialist aviation charts, ordnance survey mapping, and satellite imagery.
The iPads act as a moving map and are used by the pilot and paramedic to navigate in-flight. They also provide the crew with an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) capability. The EFB is uploaded with electronic copies of all of the documentation required to support flight operations; documentation that would once have been carried in a physical flight bag containing up to 10Kg of paper.
The weight saved by the use of an EFB enables the helicopter to carry an additional payload equivalent to three minutes of aviation fuel.
Road traffic conditions will influence the crew’s decision on whether to fly or drive. Helicopters don’t get stuck in traffic jams or have to navigate the hard shoulder of a motorway!
In December 2021, Alan Petch won Pilot of the Year Award for his innovative use of technology which involved establishing a database of potential landing sites throughout GWAAC’s operating area.
The database assists with flight planning, minimising response times, facilitating integration with other emergency service assets, and enhancing flight safety. The “Southwest Rendezvous Directory” lists over 250 sites in Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Cheltenham, the Stroud Valley, Weston-super-Mare, and a number of other densely populated areas. It’s a valuable resource that can be used in the crew’s decision-making process on whether to fly or drive.
In June 2021, we completed our fleet of response vehicles. We now have three critical care cars which are vital in enabling our crew to reach more critically ill or injured patients across the region. Having a third car has ensured our service is more reliable and resilient for those who need us every single day.
We now have the resource to bring our lifesaving emergency care to up to 50 additional patients a year. Our cars carry the same lifesaving medical equipment as the helicopter including ventilators and advanced drugs not found on a land ambulance. This ensures that those in need can still receive urgent and specialist care from our crew.
“The method of transport should be whichever gets us to the patient the quickest. We are privileged with a great road network, with our base situated on an interchange – so the ground distance we can cover by car is surprisingly far. We are probably talking of equal journey times by car and air when responding from base to areas such as Gloucester or Weston-super-Mare. However, both these locations are immediately off the motorway whereas areas of a similar distance, such as Cirencester or Coleford, are rapidly reached by air because of the road network.”
SPCC Matt Robinson
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