Watch HEMS London in action

[Kiwiology]

Mate of mine sent me these; from a British TV show about HEMS London

They use a doctor and a Paramedic (Intensive Care/ALS) and can do open chest thoracotamies (with a knife rather than a needle or Turkel). I was quite suprised to see some of the drugs they carry such as ketamine, suxamethonium and vecuronium are doctor only drugs in the UK whereas our Intensive Care Paramedics (ALS) carry them here.

Flying Doctors

Condition Critical

Medic One

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFl6e6wikYs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gq-Etpyc7Q&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyMv4kkExBo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLK0yeRLlSs&feature=related

Blues and Twos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgtFXXcUS9g&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaiDmdZ6BxE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFgpHC6moag&feature=channel

[scott33]

Haven't seen the first ones in years, and some things have changed since they were filmed (Including Gareth Davies).

HEMS operators are dotted around the UK and have been operating since the early 80s. The typical crew configuration is Doctor / Paramedic and unlike the US, RNs are not seen too often in the role. Much of the funding for the operations for HEMS comes from charitable donations.

Note the bilateral needle thoracentesis at 3:30 in the first clip. Standard of care, even for the ground crews for chest trauma.

Edited February 2, 2010 by scott33

[hertzvanrental]

RSI drugs will never be part of the everyday skill set in the UK.

Some flight paramedics/road paramedics can administer ketamine and also have IV paracetamol now.

RSI drugs will never be part of the everyday skill set in the UK.

Some flight paramedics/road paramedics can administer ketamine and also have IV paracetamol now.

I mean't to RSI will never be part of the everyday paramedics skill set. Only those with advanced training, still a long way off though. It's all about the so called evidence.

[WelshMedic]

Note the bilateral needle thoracentesis at 3:30 in the first clip. Standard of care, even for the ground crews for chest trauma

It's also a fantastic example of a flail chest. I'm using that one in my next lecture.... (now, how did it go again with copyright? )

Scott, it's a real blast from the past, isn't it? The old bedford vans and Sierra Rapid Response (and the Met's Vauxhall Astra's). And that cell phone the mighty Dr. Davies is using, the size of a housebrick. Ah, those were the days...

WM

PS: Yes, I'm old and grey.

Edited February 5, 2010 by WelshMedic

[Kiwiology]

Scott, it's a real blast from the past, isn't it? The old bedford vans and Sierra Rapid Response (and the Met's Vauxhall Astra's). And that cell phone the mighty Dr. Davies is using, the size of a housebrick. Ah, those were the days...

WM

Those old LAS Bedford's look like something you might see milk delivered in rather than used for an ambo, they dont even have IV hooks on the roof you can see one of the HEMS doctors holding a bag of fluid up!

I love that line of "oh love we're helping you, honest!" I'll have to remember that one, might come in handy!

Some more

The London

One Under

Watch video

Edited February 5, 2010 by kiwimedic

[scott33]

Scott, it's a real blast from the past, isn't it? The old bedford vans and Sierra Rapid Response (and the Met's Vauxhall Astra's). And that cell phone the mighty Dr. Davies is using, the size of a housebrick. Ah, those were the days...

Yeah, I had a good old chuckle at all those decrepit vehicles.

Cheers for the vids Kiwi.