The History of the Air Ambulance
We have all come to know the familiar sound of the helicopter
overhead that is flying quickly from the scene of a tragic car crash to
the nearest trauma center at a nearby hospital. We may have even known
someone who has needed to utilize such air ambulance service. Do you know
the history behind these marvelous methods of medical
transportation?
Think back nearly a century ago. During World War
I, air ambulances were first introduced. Between 1914 and 1918, a variety
of military organization tested the use of flying ambulances to treat
patients. Over time, this beginning has spawned into the air ambulances of
today.
What later became the Royal Doctor Flying Service started in
the year 1928. This milestone event was the first air ambulance service
ever to exist. This service began in the Australian Outback. This
non-profit organization was intended to provide service to people living
in the remote areas of the Outback. The Royal Doctor Flying Service
provided emergency medical care, as well as, primary care for individuals
who found it difficult to reach general healthcare facilities or hospitals
due to the distance.
In 1934, Marie Marvingt started an air
ambulance service. This was the first civil air ambulance service in
Africa. The air ambulance service was established in Morocco. Again, the
remote areas and terrain played a role in the decision to begin this
service in the specific location.
Marie Marvingt used her
pioneering spirit and record-breaking personality to help others when she
began the air ambulance unit. She was the first woman to fly combat
missions as a bomber pilot. She also was a qualified nurse. Specializing
in aviation medicine she was the perfect candidate to begin the air
ambulance service in Morocco. In fact, she worked to establish air
ambulance services worldwide.
It was in 1936 that a military air
ambulance service assisted wounded. The injured were evacuated from the
Spanish Civil War. The wounded received treatment in Nazi
Germany.
The Saskatchewan government established the first civil
air ambulance in North America in 1946. Regina, Canada was home to this
landmark service. Still today the air ambulance service is in
operation.
Only one year later in 1947, Schaefer Air Service began.
This was the first air ambulance service in the U.S. Founded in Los
Angeles, California by J. Walter Schaefer. The Schaefer air ambulance
service also became the first to be FAA certified in the United
States.
It wasn't until November 1 of 1970, that the first
German Air ambulance helicopter began service at the hospital of
Harlaching, Munich. This unit was called Christoph 1. As the idea spread
over Germany, the air ambulance service continued to grow rapidly. By
1975, Christoph 10 began service. Currently, around 80 helicopters are
being used as air ambulances in Germany. Each unit is named after Saint
Christopher, the patron saint of travelers.
Denver, Colorado was
home to the first hospital-based air ambulance medical helicopter in the
United States. In 1977, Flight for Life began. Soon, the helicopter air
ambulances expanded to use other types of aircraft.
In 1977,
Ontario, Canada a flight paramedic program began with a single rotor-wing
aircraft. Today, this program has become the largest and most
sophisticated air ambulance program in North America. The fleet is
dispatched to over 17,000 missions annually.
Lee County, Florida
began a public service air ambulance transport in 1978. They began using a
Bell47 then progressed to a BO 105. Currently, they use a BO 105 and an
EC-145.
Today, the air ambulance industry has grown and expanded to
become worldwide. Aircraft vary from helicopters to jets. The medical
advances and technology has also grown to include high-tech tools and
equipment that can effectively monitor and prolong life during medical
emergencies in the air.
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