For the crew who fly on the Air Ambulances, every day is different. Each one will present new situations, new challenges and some days will be so busy that they don't even have time for lunch.

There are quieter days, providing an opportunity to catch up with paperwork, but every day the Air Ambulance crew has the potential to make a difference to someone's life.

The helicopters are 'on line' 365 days a year and, during the summer months, for twelve hours a day. The following example is based on an actual day in the life of an Air Ambulance crew member.

0700

The crew arrive at the base, and change into the recognisable red flying suits that they will wear for the rest of the day.

0710

The doctor and paramedic carry out daily checks on the helicopter. They will check the fuel bowser[ii], to make sure there is adequate fuel for the day, the drugs and equipment on-board the aircraft, to ensure everything is in working order and there are sufficient supplies. The pilot will also carry out his own checks, to make certain the is happy with the helicopter and it is safe to fly. Safety is paramount to the operation of the Air Ambulances.

0730-0745

The helicopter will go on line and be available to answer medical emergencies. The crew will confirm with the control desk to find out if any other HEMS[iii] or hospital as notified them that they are unavailable for the day. It is essential that the crew know if they will be unable to land at any particular hospital, or if any other Air Ambulance is unavailable to assist or may require cover.

0800

Briefing. The crew will collectively discuss weather conditions, the aircraft, aviation notices, relevant clinical issues, fuel and any aviation emergencies that may occur during of the day.

0900

Most of the crew will have started their day before 6am, so medical emergencies allowing, they will have breakfast.

0920

More checking: equipment e.g. paediatric bag, drugs bag, spare intubation kit;[iv]leaning fuel bowser; ordering medical equipment and dressings etc. ; washing theaircraft etc.

1000

First job of the day, a call to a road traffic crash in Faversham. The pilot will start the engines and the rotor blades will be turning when the doctor and paramedic get into the helicopter. It takes off from the helipad. On this occasion, the crew receive information, via the land ambulance crew already on scene, to say that the patient has only minor injuries and they are stood down[v] en route and return to base.

1030

On return, the aircraft is re-fuelled ready for the next job and the paperwork is completed.

1045

The second call of the day. A patient has fallen from a horse in Crowborough and has a suspected broken wrist and minor head injury. The helicopter arrives on scene and the crew work alongside the land ambulance[vi] crew. On this occasion the patient is able to travel to hospital by land.

1200

A job comes in, while they are still at the scene of the last incident. The helicopter is called to another road traffic accident in Redhill (The Dunsfold based helicopter is still in London with a patient from another emergency). The helicopters will often cross County borders and cover one another, to ensure that patients in all areas are able to access an Air Ambulance should it be necessary. The call is a crash between a car and a van. The patient is trapped, but alert and stable but is suffering from a fractured femur requiring ketamine[vii] sedation to aid in extrication. The fracture is re-aligned and splinted on scene, under sedation. The patient is extracted by the Fire and Rescue service and is flown to the EastSurreyHospital.

1500

The helicopter returns to base and is re-fuelled. The crew complete their paperwork. Press enquiries are already coming in about the previous job.

1530

A group of people who have raised funds for the Air Ambulances are visiting the base for a cheque presentation. The crew always take time to speak to visitors and show them around the helicopter. They pose for photographs of the cheque being presented before they return to their paperwork.

1600

A welcome cup of tea while still trying to finish the paperwork and a late lunch at the desk.

1700

Another call. The patient has fallen from a ladder in Sheppey and has head, chest and limb injuries and is not fully conscious. A general anaesthetic is administered before the patient is transferred to a trauma centre in London with neurosurgical facilities[viii]. The hospital is the Royal London which has a roof top helipad.

1945

Arrive back at base later than scheduled. The helicopter is re-fuelled again and paperwork completed. The medical kit is removed from aircraft and restocked with pre-draw drugs for next days shift.

2030