Portable air mobile life support unit.

The Israeli Air Force Medical Corps has developed a portable Air Mobile Life Support Unit (AMLS) for use in emergency airborne medical evacuations. This unit was designed so that it could be easily moved from one aircraft to another, thus allowing for tactical flexibility and avoiding the necessity for a dedicated ambulance aircraft. The unit is capable of supplying critical care for two patients and supportive care for two less severely injured. Three main functional units comprise the AMLS. These include (1) oxygen ventilation system, (2) cardiac monitoring and defibrillation system, and (3) vacuum pump for aspiration of secretions. Each of these units can be removed and operated independently of the AMLS for field use. Accessories include a control panel, illumination unit and a medical supply cabinet. The AMLS unit may be installed or removed in less than 2 min by two crew men. The AMLS has been operational and successfully used in air evacuations in wartime as well as in peace time. Air Medical crews report that the AMLS has been easily accessed and has operated without any malfunction.

Medical air evacuation during the Lebanon War, 1982.

During the Lebanon War, 1982, 85% of the Israel Defence Forces casualties were airlifted from the battle zone by means of the aeromedical evacuation (AME) network of the Air Force. The rescue helicopter was the first point of medical contact for 4.4% of the casualties. A summary is presented of the types of aircraft used in AME and the number of casualties carried in the various flights. A brief description is also given of a new addition to the intensive care capabilities of AME helicopters: the air mobile life support unit used in combat for the first time during this war.