Aircraft equipment

Here is the inside of the PC12. The pictures show the stretchers and equipment racks in the rear of the aircraft. Note that the stretchers are actually on dollies so they can be wheeled around at will. The floor has been specially designed to be flat and easy to clean. If any blood gets between the joints, it MUST be cleaned properly and as soon as possible because it is reportedly very corrosive. Never knew that did you? I certainly didn't.

The third photo shows the stretcher loading device. Basically this is an electrically driven (by worm gear) platform that allows us to raise and lower the stretcher and patient without all the manhandling that would normally be needed. This saves our backs, and reduces the opportunity for further patient injury etc. Great little system, though very expensive as it is properly certified for use in aircraft and of course is made of expensive components, milled from solid blocks of metal. It has to be examined to be appreciated.

No longer glowing....

This is one of the salt lakes just out of Maralinga in central South Australia. In the 50's, this was the scene of the A-Bomb tests, and for a long time, nobody was allowed in the area for fear of radiation poisoning.

Now, you wouldn't know anything had happened there.

Taking off out of Mintabie

Just a quick photo of a takeoff from the airstrip at Mintabie after a clinic. As you can see, there is plenty of red dust in the area, and it can be quite a problem, depending on how much wind there is at the time and which way you turn. You don't want to turn into your own dust unless you have to.....

Scenic Views

This is the northern part of the Flinders Ranges, on the way into Balcanoona airstrip for a clinic. We only saw two people that day (one was VERY pregnant), but it can sometimes be quite busy I'm told. This is the only regular medical attention folks in these areas can get.

Outback airstrips

Just a little indicator of some of the airstrips we need to use occasionally. This is the airstrip at Dulkaninna homestead. Check out the rocks! This is called Gibber and is the common stone found around much of the area. As you can see, it pretty much covers everything, and there's not much feed for the animals in the area. Also a bit tough on props and engines....

Dental work in the outback

Just thought you'd all like to see how the dentist works in the outback.... this is at a bush airstrip north east of Port Augusta, called Blinman. The patient is having some adjustments made to his upper plate, and the dentist is using, of all things, MY LEATHERMAN! Needless to say, the work was somewhat unplanned, with the dentist only there originally to observe and talk with locals, but the opportunity presented itself, and I couldn't resist getting a photo or three.