999 helicopter conducts first rescue drill for injured mountaineers in Beijing

 

   Recently, reporters learned from the Beijing Red Cross 999 Emergency Medical Center that the city is expected to launch its first aviation rescue insurance by the end of this year. This means the currently high cost of air emergency services will be significantly reduced, allowing citizens to pay just a few hundred yuan a year for coverage and gain access to air emergency services. By the end of this year, 999 will have initially established a citywide medical air emergency network.   

Around 10 a.m., the 999 Emergency Medical Center received a distress call: a “female tourist” had suffered a serious fall while hiking near Beizhai Village. As an ambulance could not reach the location easily, the 999 Emergency Medical Center decided to initiate an air rescue.

Upon receiving the takeoff order, a bright red medical emergency helicopter marked with 999 quickly flew from Badaling Airport to the Beizhai Village rescue site. Emergency expert Wei Yanfang stabilized and bandaged the “injured person” before transferring them onto the helicopter. Twenty minutes later, the helicopter landed on the helipad of a golf club in Beizhai Village, Qiaozhi Town, Huairou District. The “injured person” was then taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital.

This was the first ground-air coordinated rescue drill conducted by a 999 emergency medical helicopter for an injured mountaineer.

Tian Zhenbiao, deputy director of the 999 Emergency Medical Center, revealed yesterday that the center is currently negotiating the “aviation rescue insurance” service with two major insurance companies, China Life and Sunshine Insurance, and it is expected to be launched within this year.

Regarding future insurance costs, Tian Zhenbiao said they have not yet been finalized, but two types have been preliminarily determined: as an add-on policy or as a standalone policy. If offered as an add-on, those who have already purchased certain commercial insurance policies would only need to pay an additional few hundred yuan per year to be eligible for air rescue services in cases of critical illness that meet air transfer criteria. If offered as a standalone policy, the cost would be higher, though the price has not yet been set.

Air rescue targets are strictly limited

Tian Zhenbiao said that the aviation rescue insurance will impose restrictions on the types of illnesses covered and the locations for rescue. Two conditions must be met: first, the illness must be a critical condition such as cerebral hemorrhage or heart disease; second, the rescue location must be an area where ambulances cannot reach or access quickly and promptly.

Helicopter emergency services mainly target two types of patients: those whose conditions have stabilized after emergency treatment and can safely undergo flight, and those in critical condition who need to be transported to cities with abundant medical resources for surgery. If the condition is too severe or not suitable for air transport, the helicopter will not be able to provide service.

Reporters learned that the introduction of this insurance is expected to establish a green rescue channel, shortening the approval process for air rescue.

Currently, the coverage radius of 999 emergency medical helicopters is about 300 kilometers, allowing them to generally reach locations within Beijing within one hour, covering areas such as Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and Xi'an. To ensure air emergency rescue in the mountainous northeastern areas such as Huairou, Miyun, Changping, and Shunyi, the 999 Emergency Medical Center has established a 999 medical emergency helicopter helipad at a golf club in Beizhai Village, Qiaozhi Town, Huairou District. This is also the first helipad built by the 999 Emergency Medical Center on a golf course.

By the end of this year, 999 will have built 20 helipads, initially establishing a citywide medical air emergency network. Future helipads will primarily be located at golf courses and primary/secondary school playgrounds.