Trigger Warnings
This post mentions major incidents, 7/7, death, and medical emergencies. However, there are no descriptions, no gore, and no images. The events are mentioned in passing, rather than explored in detail.
This post mentions major incidents, 7/7, death, and medical emergencies. However, there are no descriptions, no gore, and no images. The events are mentioned in passing, rather than explored in detail.
Summary of Meeting
The meeting was on 17 June, and we had a talk by the lovely Emily from London's Air Ambulance. This is a blog post related to that meeting: a summary of what she told us, some more information about the London Air Ambulance, and ways you can help them.
A History of London's Air Ambulance
London's Air Ambulance service (also called London HEMS - Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) started in 1989, responding to severe medical emergencies in the London area. It was started in response to the Royal College of Surgeons, who reported that many patients were dying from trauma because of the delay in getting medical treatment. The single helicopter, based at the Royal London in Whitechapel, can reach any part of London within the M25 in just fifteen minutes or less.
Out of the 5,000 calls 999 calls the ambulance service in London receives every day, only between five and seven of those calls are responded to by the helicopter service, who only deal with trauma cases. These include road traffic accidents involving more than one vehicle, falls from great heights, or situations and major incidents that involve all the emergency services.
One example of a major incident is 7/7. HEMS was used to transport NHS staff to where they needed to be, and also to transport blood. London's single air ambulance helicopter helped countless people, and continues to do so.
The single helicopter covers ten million people in the London area. This is a huge number of people for just one helicopter team. It deals with many types of trauma, but most fit into three major categories: 34% are traffic related, 27% are falls, 23% are penetration injuries, such as knife and gun injuries.
Out of the 5,000 calls 999 calls the ambulance service in London receives every day, only between five and seven of those calls are responded to by the helicopter service, who only deal with trauma cases. These include road traffic accidents involving more than one vehicle, falls from great heights, or situations and major incidents that involve all the emergency services.
One example of a major incident is 7/7. HEMS was used to transport NHS staff to where they needed to be, and also to transport blood. London's single air ambulance helicopter helped countless people, and continues to do so.
The single helicopter covers ten million people in the London area. This is a huge number of people for just one helicopter team. It deals with many types of trauma, but most fit into three major categories: 34% are traffic related, 27% are falls, 23% are penetration injuries, such as knife and gun injuries.
How You Can Help
There are many ways you can help.
Firstly, and probably the most important, is to get first aid training. To know what to do in an emergency situation can save the lives of your friends, family, and complete strangers. These skills are essential. There are many ways to become a certified first aider; the internet is your friend in helping you find something like it in your local area. This is not just to help save lives in major trauma situations, but also every day injuries too, like cuts, bruises, and burns.
A single helicopter mission costs around £3,300, with each piece of equipment on board going through £20,000 of testing before it can be used on a mission. Raising money to keep this service running is essential, but London HEMS are also trying to raise funds to get a second helicopter. The NHS only provides one third of the money needed; the rest comes from donations.
You can raise money by being sponsored to do something - abseils are quite a popular idea at the moment, but maybe a marathon, fun run, or extended crafting sessions are more your thing - but you can also donate. You can find out more here.
Firstly, and probably the most important, is to get first aid training. To know what to do in an emergency situation can save the lives of your friends, family, and complete strangers. These skills are essential. There are many ways to become a certified first aider; the internet is your friend in helping you find something like it in your local area. This is not just to help save lives in major trauma situations, but also every day injuries too, like cuts, bruises, and burns.
A single helicopter mission costs around £3,300, with each piece of equipment on board going through £20,000 of testing before it can be used on a mission. Raising money to keep this service running is essential, but London HEMS are also trying to raise funds to get a second helicopter. The NHS only provides one third of the money needed; the rest comes from donations.
You can raise money by being sponsored to do something - abseils are quite a popular idea at the moment, but maybe a marathon, fun run, or extended crafting sessions are more your thing - but you can also donate. You can find out more here.
Other Things You May Have Missed This Month
Cereal Time
This is a new YouTube series hosted by Charlie (charlieissocoollike) and Jimmy (jimmy0010). It is a fun way to start the day, but because it is YouTube, you can watch the videos whenever. You can find it here.
PRIDE
This year's PRIDE was even more special because marriage equality has been made law across all fifty states in America. Not only that, but there were more LGBTQ+ victories and steps towards full equality around the world this weekend. Be sure to search online for more details.
Heatwave
In case you have yet to notice the rise in temperature, London is currently in a heatwave. The following links are details on how to stay safe in this weather.
Sun protection tips
Information from the Met Office
This is a new YouTube series hosted by Charlie (charlieissocoollike) and Jimmy (jimmy0010). It is a fun way to start the day, but because it is YouTube, you can watch the videos whenever. You can find it here.
PRIDE
This year's PRIDE was even more special because marriage equality has been made law across all fifty states in America. Not only that, but there were more LGBTQ+ victories and steps towards full equality around the world this weekend. Be sure to search online for more details.
Heatwave
In case you have yet to notice the rise in temperature, London is currently in a heatwave. The following links are details on how to stay safe in this weather.
Sun protection tips
Information from the Met Office
Dates For Your Diary
10-15 July The Heart Project
This is a very simple idea but the results could change lives. You simply draw a heart on your wrist matching the colour in the picture. The act is very simple, but removing the stigma around mental health is important. Showing your support by doing something small like this can have a massive impact on those around you who might be suffering in silence.
15 July Our Next Meeting! Card Making: A Practical Workshop
Holly Lodge Community Centre, 7.30pm
For a small fee of £6 to pay for the materials, members can learn the techniques to make a card, gift tag, and gift bag. There will also be a raffle. Hope to see you there!
19 August Another Holly Lodge (Highgate) WI Meeting!
Holly Lodge Community Centre, 7.30pm
Our August meeting will be a talk from the Pearly Society, and we hope you can make it.
This is a very simple idea but the results could change lives. You simply draw a heart on your wrist matching the colour in the picture. The act is very simple, but removing the stigma around mental health is important. Showing your support by doing something small like this can have a massive impact on those around you who might be suffering in silence.
15 July Our Next Meeting! Card Making: A Practical Workshop
Holly Lodge Community Centre, 7.30pm
For a small fee of £6 to pay for the materials, members can learn the techniques to make a card, gift tag, and gift bag. There will also be a raffle. Hope to see you there!
19 August Another Holly Lodge (Highgate) WI Meeting!
Holly Lodge Community Centre, 7.30pm
Our August meeting will be a talk from the Pearly Society, and we hope you can make it.