AirMed&Rescue looks closely at the changes and advancements in helicopter technology, consulting with industry experts about what we can expect to see in the near future to improve safer and more effective rescue missions; Jennifer Ferrero talks to industry experts around the world about the challenges and solutions facing HEMS, different locations have different requirements, different legislation and different access to equipment, training and craft, and there are further hurdles when operating across borders; and Jonathan Falconer reports on public perceptions of air ambulances.

This is an important review for modern air ambulances, as the funding models and access to AA are different, depending on where they are based. Many services are reliant on public charitable funding and without clear widespread accurate information, they struggle to find the finances to operate. Other systems are subsidised by the government or through other routes and are free to access at the point of contact, regardless of insurance status. Raising public awareness of what is available to them and also ensuring that those services continue to operate is important to ensure the timely care required in an emergency that can only be provided by AA.

Jesse Weaver, Director of Operations and Chief Pilot for Dauntless Air, discusses the importance of maintaining high standards of safety while fighting fires in the US with their flexible and versatile fleet of Fire Boss craft; we spoke to Captain Mahdi Al-Husseini about innovations in medevac research; and we have three interviews from Jarrett Lunn – Chief Pilot at Talon Helicopters – regarding his SAR work in Canada, Sammy Wills – Paramedic for Yorkshire Air Ambulance –about her distinguished career as a HEMS paramedic, and Dr Joseph Choi – Medical Director at Redstar Aviation – covering air medical transfer and challenges and trends for fixed-wing air ambulances.