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Great North Air Ambulance
DarrenW - 24/10/08 at 10:41 AM

Did anyone else see the programme on ITV Wednesday night about the air ambulances?

My god - how good are they? They get and deserve my respect. It was one of those programmes where words cant express enough the emotion and admiration that you feel for our emergency services.

DarrenW - 24/10/08 at 10:44 AM

quote:
Originally posted by DarrenW
Did anyone else see the programme on ITV Wednesday night about the air ambulances?

My god - how good are they? They get and deserve my respect. It was one of those programmes where words cant express enough the emotion and admiration that you feel for our emergency services.




There was one guy who was back seat passenger in a newsih car that had been in a major smash on A1. Fire crew took roof off the mangled wreck whilst the doctor sedated the passenger. The patient had major spnal injury. They all then managed to slide the spine board down his back and straighten him out with minimal discomfort. Took them ages but had me wondering if i could take charge in such delicate circumstances. The responsibility on those guys shoulders was immense.

mookaloid - 24/10/08 at 11:23 AM

I didn't see it (I don't like watching that stuff ) however it is a very good cause and I donate to it from time to time

wilkingj - 24/10/08 at 11:23 AM

The Air Ambulances and the RNLI are two charities I will give to without thinking.

Its wrong that these lifesaving services should have to be run as charities.

I saw it too... I take my hat off to them all.

r1_pete - 24/10/08 at 11:26 AM

I agree, those guys are awesome.

That poor chap you talk of ended up paralysed from the chest down, such things always makes me think about my driving and leaving space etc.

Surrey Dave - 24/10/08 at 11:47 AM

admired their calm logical approach to stressful /dangerous situations......

matt_claydon - 24/10/08 at 12:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by wilkingj
Its wrong that these lifesaving services should have to be run as charities.


Ordinarily I would be inclined to agree, but you'll find most people in the RNLI (and probably the air ambulances) would not want to be government funded.

Being self-funded charities they are free of political influence and can concentrate on operating in the way they see as best.

tegwin - 24/10/08 at 01:04 PM

Very good program....and amazingly shot..

Although im not quite sure why cumbria are using a Dauphin.... Not really the worlds most ideal helicopter for landing on anything other than a flat hard suface... Deffinately not ideal for cumbria lol!

slimtater - 24/10/08 at 04:58 PM

They are a valuable asset but please remember that ambulance (and other emergency services) deliver the same level of care and expertise without the profile and prestige often associated with air ambulances. Agree that the charity versus core service status is an issue - remember the volume of donations to the YAA after Richard Hammond's incident? Charity status meant that it may not have been shared across other providers......