What an aeromedical
evacuation feels like
Without warning, the mobile phone rings. 2am in the morning. That’s surely weird, you don’t receive calls at that time, not in your line of work. Anticipating a mass disaster situation you found out that it’s Ann from Hope Ambulances. A doctor and nurse team is required to accompany a patient from Bali back to Singapore. Insurance pays, what gives?
Excited nevertheless, the few hours of sleep left was whiled away and I came to be at Seletar Airport at 6am, waiting for departure. The flight took just 2.5 hours and we promptly landed at the Bali International Airport. Slight delays while we waited for the transport. Also, enroute to the hospital there were some slow traffic. Suprising for the small backwater area we were in; apparently there was a festival going on and it was a public holiday. We soon arrived at the hospital and were introduced our charges; a mother and daughter (patient).
With great care, we transferred the patient onto the stretcher and we gingerly made our way back to the airport and boarded the plane. It was interesting how the stretcher could fit through the small door of the jet but the experienced crew made it look easy. Without much delay, we were airborne and an uneventful flight saw us land at the airport.
The journey had nevertheless been rather interesting as I got to fly in a small private jet for the first time. The interior was a little claustrophobic and does require some getting use to, but overall one gets enough room to stretch the legs. This is definitely better than flying economical commercial flights!
After handing over the patient and her mom to our colleagues at Mount Elizabeth hospital, I realised that my duties were indeed over. Unfortunately, it was time for my shift to start and so begins the real day…
