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Retrieval Equipment

We use a broad range of sophisticated biomedical equipment for transporting the diverse range of patients we encounter. There are differing requirements for the transfer of patients ranging from critical care trauma cases, acute cardiac cases, to obstetric emergencies and paediatric and neonatal transport. Each of our aircraft at each of our five locations has access to the full range of equipment, which is standardized across the State. Further details on most of the specialized items we use can be found in the additonal links. 

We pride ourselves on being an early adopter of new innovative technology. Whilst there are many types of biomedical equipment found in hospitals, only that which is compact, lightweight, robust and has an independent internal power supply is generally suited to our needs in the aeromedical environment. We are continually evaluating and trialling new equipment and when suitable new technology becomes available which will substantially improve our patient care, we implement it promptly.

In Western Australia we have been one of the first aeromedical transport organizations to use a variety of new technology and equipment:

1970's
  • Vickers neonatal transport cot with ventilator (1978)
  • Doppler stethoscopes
  • Portable volumetric infusion pumps
  • Lifepak 5 portable defibrillator
1980's
  • Drager Oxylog (1982)
  • Aloka portable ultrasound (1983)
  • Nellcor N-10 portable pulse oximetry (1986)
  • Transcutaneous neonatal monitoring (TCM) (1988)
  • Vacuum mattresses (1989)
  • Lifepak 10P transcutaneous pacing
1990's
  • Satellite telephones
  • Intraosseuous needles
  • Propaq vital signs monitors with invasive pressure (1993)
  • Propaq critical care monitors with mainstream end-tidal CO2 (1995)
  • i-STAT point of care testing (1999)
  • Interpretive ECGs
2000's
  • Non-invasive ventilation (CPAP, BiPAP)
  • Portable ultrasound in flight (2008)

Virtually all of our medical equipment and aircraft aeromedical fit-outs are provided through donations from the community and benefactors. If you would like to learn more about what specialized medical equipment we currently require, please ontact our Public Affairs & Fundraising staff.