Warrnambool's HEMS4 helicopter now features an automated stretcher which wipes 20 minutes off patient transfer times.
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The equipment change has been five years in the making after road ambulances were fitted with the automated Stryker Power Pro stretchers.
HEMS4 senior team manager Ben Hespe explained the new equipment in the helicopter would give patients "major benefits".
"Five years ago our old Bell 412 helicopter had manual stretchers that were also used by the on-road paramedics," he said.
"There was a tender for a new helicopter at the same time road ambulances changed to a new powered stretcher fitted with the Stryker to reduce manual handling.
"Because of the timing, we never got the new stretchers for the HEMS4.
"It's been really frustrating not having an automated stretcher. When we're doing a hospital transfer, we have to take all the machines off the patients and physically move the person. It's a risk to the patients.
"We've been working for five years for this, it's an amazing feat of engineering and it's going to be fantastic."
The aircrews attend 400 jobs per year.
Fitted with the Stryker power loader, the new stretchers automatically glide patients in and out of road and helicopter ambulances.
The new fitting is 120 kilograms which means the aircraft has to carry 120 kilograms less fuel reducing travel by 15 minutes, but excess fuel can be carried for longer flights.
Mr Hespe said the automatic stretchers would significantly reduce time and work for the paramedics.
"When a helicopter goes to a prang, we would have to do a bed transfer. The fact that we don't have to do that anymore will save us 20 minutes," he said. "The old stretcher was a two or three man job.
"By the end of the week, every helicopter in Victoria will be fitted with the new stretcher and be standardised."
The base in the HEMS4 has a rotating element which the stretcher gets fitted to making it easier for working with tall patients or those who have leg splints.
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While the Stryker in a road ambulance is powered by the vehicle's battery, the helicopter's new bed has been manufactured to run off two external batteries.
Mr Hespe said the stretcher has been significantly tested and could withstand a g-rating crash.
Melbourne-based Five Rings Aerospace engineering firm created the base, the Stryker Power Pro and stretcher bridge which houses medical equipment and can be easily transferred.
Licensed aircraft maintenance engineer Alan Fear was in Warrnambool to fit the new stretchers on Tuesday and was delighted with the design.
"It's been a three year project to make sure we were happy with the product we were putting out and it met Ambulance Victoria requirements," he said.
"It's incredible to be here, what a great feeling to see it being fitted.
"I've had some great feedback from the fellas today who have said this will make their life easier. At the end of the day, we can do all this work in our workshops but these guys are saving our lives."
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