The Great North Air Ambulance Service is appealing for help to raise over £8,000 to service 30 flight helmets used by its critical care team.
The helmets are a compulsory piece of kit that must be worn by the service’s doctors, paramedics and pilots every time they respond to an incident on a helicopter.
They provide vital protection in the air if they encounter an emergency such as a bird strike, with visors on their helmets helping to shield their face from impact, as well as the rest of the helmet protecting their head.
They also provide Foreign Object Damage protection for the crew when they disembark or are outside when the engine starts.
The helmets are fitted with a microphone and earpieces, and the team have an integrated system within the helicopter so their helmets can plug straight into the comms system.
This helps them communicate with each other throughout take-off, the flight and landing, and talk to air traffic control and other agencies.
It is a legal requirement for helmets to be regularly serviced to ensure they remain safe and functional, as without it, helmets may have to be replaced at a cost of £2,500 each.
The service includes replacing scratched visors, repairing faulty cables, addressing wear and tear in the lining, and even assessing the structural integrity of each helmet.
If a helmet cannot be restored, it must be retired from use, but the charity is hoping to maintain all 30 of them at a fraction of the price of buying new ones.
Overall, it costs £8,043.06 to service the helmets worn by the critical care team, and a fundraiser has been launched.
Pilot JJ Smith said: “It is important for us to have our helmets regularly serviced to ensure they remain in top condition.
“Just like you would service a car or any other essential equipment, maintaining our helmets is crucial, and they must be kept to a high standard to ensure our safety.
“Servicing helps to extend the lifespan of our helmets and avoid costly replacements, so if you are able to donate to our fundraiser that would be greatly appreciated.”
To donate to the appeal, visit https://www.facebook.com/share/1CtyEPXQMq/ or https://www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/ Just leave a note with your donation indicating it is to support their annual helmet service.
