Bristow Flying Covid-19 Patients
- March 25, 2020, 9:26 AM
Bristow Flying Covid-19 Patients
by Mark Huber
- March 25,
2020, 9:26 AM
This story is part of AIN's
continuing coverage of the impact of the coronavirus on
aviation.
Bristow Group is transporting suspected
Covid-19 patients in three specially-configured former search-and-rescue
helicopters in the North Sea and other aircraft in the Americas.
Three people with suspected Covid-19
cases have been flown from offshore energy installations in the North Sea since
March 18, in one of the dedicated Sikorsky S-92s. Bristow has also transported
acutely-ill offshore workers in the oil and gas industry with suspected
Covid-19 in specially-configured SAR aircraft supporting operations in the Gulf
of Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana in operations that began there on
January 29. Related flights there have included 24 transports of offshore
workers and Covid-19 test kits to remote and isolated offshore platforms,
drilling rigs, and drill ships. Bristow said it will continue to support
emergency medical evacuation requests to transport potentially or actually
infected patients.
Helicopters used for these missions have
undergone specific modifications to ensure the necessary separation is provided
between flight crew, onboard medic, and passengers with suspected Covid-19.
Bristow said it is adhering to universal and body substance isolation (BSI)
precautions, including physical barriers, protective curtains separating the
cockpit from the passenger area and airflow systems, and specific entrance and
exit points for the flight crew, paramedic, and passenger to further ensure
required distance is maintained.
The helicopters also are equipped with
other specialty aeromedical transport equipment. Bristow plans on adding other
equipment that will minimize the risk of virus transmission.
“We are currently on track to be the
first commercial operator in this region to implement portable, negative
pressure isolation stretchers for high-risk transports involving
unconsciousness, non-ambulatory, or high-risk infectious disease patients
receiving invasive en route care,” said David Jacob, Bristow deputy area
manager for the Americas.
Each aircraft is decontaminated after
every flight, a process made easier due to the waterproof seating and floors
installed for the helicopters’ SAR configuration.
For North Sea transports of Covid-19
patients, Bristow established its service “with approval from the CAA, and the
support of Oil and Gas UK, our client base and the relevant health
authorities—and we remain in continuous dialogue with those organizations,”
said Matt Rhodes, Bristow director for UK and Turkmenistan oil and gas. He said
the service is part of Bristow’s “commitment to supporting the energy industry
in what are extremely challenging circumstances.”
Bristow also is providing expertise to
the UK industry’s pandemic steering group and Rhodes said the company was
prepared to assist industries other than oil and gas throughout the
UK “as the national response to the coronavirus outbreak gathers
pace.”
Jacob said Bristow was similarly prepared
to expand transport of Covid-19 patients in the Americas. “We are ready to help
and have the experience to do it the right way and can expand this service to
where needed to help battle Covid-19,” he said.
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