Medevac: A vital air bridge

By Captain Alex Munoz

Jacmel, Haiti — Not all hospitals are equipped to treat every patient who arrives at their door in need of help. When a patient’s condition is so serious that locally available health care is inadequate, the emergency solution of choice is a Canadian Forces helicopter.

Helicopter-borne medical evacuation, or “medevac” is a service the Air Force provides to patients who must be moved from one health care facility to another that is better equipped to provide the care they need.

Since this service was introduced in Haiti, after the 12 January earthquake, the CH-146 Griffon helicopters of the Air Force have conducted about 30 medevac missions. Although a medevac flight can look like mere transport from point A to point B, the organization of a medevac service requires specialized logistics managed by a dedicated team.

To demonstrate what’s involved in a medevac flight, some simplification is in order. “Medevac is definitely a team effort,” said Colonel Scott Clancy, commanding officer of the air component of Joint Task Force Haiti. “It’s like a basketball game. Headquarters is the coach, responsible for the game plan and getting the right information to the right people. When a request comes in, HQ alerts the flight crews and the medical personnel.”

“The medical authorities are the referees, responsible for controlling the game,” he went on. “They authorize the mission and decide where the patient should be taken, based on the his or her condition and type of injuries. They also ensure that the hospital receiving the patient is ready to deal with what’s coming.”

The flight crews handle central co-ordination. “We play the centre position. The pilots and search and rescue technicians jump into the game to stabilize the patient, prepare him for transport, and deliver him to the receiving hospital,” said Col Clancy. “And that’s when we score!”

“We have conducted many of these missions in all kinds of circumstances,” concluded Col Clancy. “Our teams have saved many lives, thanks to their professional training and their ability to co-ordinate with the medical teams — not to speak of their flying skills, such as landing aboard a ship,”