A Day in the Life of a HEMS Crew Member

In light of National Air Ambulance Week 2018, we decided to show you what A Day in the Life of a HEMS Crew Member looks like.

These photos were all taken on a Tuesday. Tuesday’s are a busy day at the North Weald hangar as we hold our weekly meeting with some of the Critical Care Team. This meeting allows the crew to discuss recent cases. The MD902/Helimed07 crew from the Earls Cone Airbase fly over and are operational from North Weald so that the crew can join in with the discussions when not on a mission. On this day, the AW169 was on the late shift.

12:10pm

Mike and Tony carry out the daily controlled drug checks.

12:20pm

Co-Pilot, Ben, begins briefing the observer. We often have Observers flying with the crew to promote learning and development.

12.30pm

Co-Pilot bringing the AW169 out of the hangar so that it is ready to be tasked.

12:50pm

Some of the Critical Care Team in the weekly meeting. They analyse what, why and how they did what they did at each mission. This meeting is also important for combating stress and looking after our crew’s health and well-being.

1:03pm

Co-Pilot taking the details of a mission down from the East of England Ambulance Service control room. Whilst he does this, Pilot Nick is outside starting the aircraft.

1:04pm

Pre-hospital Care Doctor, Mike and the Observer make their way out to the aircraft. At this point, they have no idea what incident they are about to attend. Their kit bags are all ready to go on the aircraft from when they did their checks at the beginning of the shift.

1:05pm

Critical Care Paramedic strapping himself in. The helmets allow the crew to talk to each other and the control room whilst in the air.

1:06pm

Co-Pilot joins the crew in the aircraft. He inputs the details received over the phone into the navigation system and then briefs the crew on the upcoming mission.

1:07pm

And off they go! The crew will now start discussing what drugs, equipment and procedures they may need to do when they reach the scene.

3:15pm

The crew return back from their mission. The pilots immediately make contact with the airbase fuel suppliers. Once back in the operations room, they will have de-brief of the mission.

3:17pm

The fuelling tanker arrives to top up the aircraft. We get this done as quickly as possible so that we can be ready for the next mission.

3:40pm

The pilots taking a much needed tea break. This is also their chance to say goodbye to the MD902/Helimed07 Pilots before they head back to the Earls Colne Airbase to end their shift.

4:15pm

The weekly meeting comes to an end for the Critical Care Team and they can go home to rest. The AW169 however stays online until 8pm.