Monday, July 12, 2010

Medical Controversy: What if Medical Rescue is Unsafe?

Downtown Toronto has a cluster of hospitals along University Avenue. Whenever I'm downtown and I hear a low flying helicopter I hope for the best for the patient that's being transported. Traffic choppers fly high enough that you can barely hear them at all. Only helicopters being used to transport patients are low enough to be heard.

The medical transport helicopter is a wonder of the age. If you're in a very bad car accident you can be transported to a hospital in time to safe your life. It's comforting to know they're out there and that they are available when you need them.

Maybe that's a naive thought but it's the one I always had in mind when I thought about them.

What if the choppers aren't just used when they're necessary? What if they don't have to have all the safety equipment of other planes and helicopters? What if they are the most dangerous form of flying in the United States?

Popular Mechanics looks into the issues and problems with medical helicopters. Hold on it's a bumpy ride.

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