The Day I Played My Part in Head Trauma Research

My first year working at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance has been a humbling experience. As part of the charity team, I spend my days supporting fundraising efforts and raising awareness about the incredible work of our pilots, doctors, and paramedics. They save lives every day, often in the most challenging circumstances.

To the patients they help—and to me—they are true heroes.

The humanity behind the heroes

What strikes me the most about these awe-inspiring professionals is their humility. Despite the life-saving work they do, they remain grounded, always placing patient care at the heart of their mission. Beyond providing world-class emergency medical treatment, they are constantly pushing for innovation and improvement, always seeking ways to give back to the community that supports them.

These “knights and dames in shining flight suits” are always willing to help the charity-side in every way possible, whether it’s posing for a fun photo during our Brew for the Crew campaign or doing a TikTok dance around an RRV to promote Strictly Air Ambulance.

Playing my part 

Today, I had the privilege of giving back in a small but meaningful way. I played my part in Laurie’s PhD research, which focuses on how the early, pre-hospital treatment of traumatic brain injuries impacts patient outcomes and survival rates.

In this research simulation, I got to be the patient. Clad in a full-body skin suit and armed with a prosthetic left arm, I was cast as a patient with a head injury. My role was simple: lie still with my eyes closed. But despite how easy that sounds, I was surprisingly nervous – knowing how crucial this research is.

For the next hour, I lay there, fully immersed in the experience, while the simulation suite projected the sights and sounds of a park around me. I was connected to monitors, and the constant beeping in the background only added to the sense of realism. It felt incredibly lifelike, yet I was completely at ease as the medical team worked on me.

The purpose of the exercise was to test three key pieces of medical equipment. First, the iStat Alinity, which measures blood biomarkers for traumatic brain injury, simulated using my prosthetic arm and special liquid. Then, they used a device called Emotiv EPOC, which monitors brain electrical activity. Finally, after being “transported” to the Royal London Hospital (aka the small section of the simulation suite, complete with sirens), and still under the care of doctor James and critical care paramedic Shaun, they performed an ultrasound on my eye to measure optic nerve sheath diameter.

Proud to contribute to life-saving research

And just like that, it was over. I was buzzing for the rest of the day, proud to have played a part in research that could one day save lives. As I headed back up to the office, I couldn’t wait to share the experience with my colleagues. It reminded me of what we’re all working toward here at EHAAT—ensuring that the vital work of our medical teams continues to thrive, supported by the community that makes it all possible.

A life-saving mission we all share

Today wasn’t just another day at work. It was a reminder of the extraordinary impact we all have, no matter what role we play in this life-saving mission. And for that, I couldn’t be prouder.

Lynda Barrow

Comms & PR Manager