Beijing orders EC135 helicopters for China's 1st flying ICU  

北京红十字会购欧直直升机 建中国首个空中ICU

北京市红十字会999急救中心与欧直公司31日在北京签署直升机紧急医疗服务合作协议；双方还签署购进2架欧直EC135双发直升机协议，第一架2014年8月交付北京，第二架2015年下半年到京。业内人士表示，首架空中ICU即将落户北京，填补了中国空中医学救援的空白。 [查看全文]

Beijing (CNS) – The Beijing Red Cross Emergency Rescue Center (999) has ordered two helicopters from Eurocopter to establish China's first flying ICU, which will enable patients to receive emergency treatment while in the air, China News Service reported Monday.

The first helicopter will be delivered to Beijing in August, with the second one arriving in the latter half of 2015.

The twin-engine EC135 is kitted out with an ECG monitor, a ventilator, and a defibrillator. It also has space for two stretchers.

With usable payload of up to 1,495 kilograms, the EC135 can fly as far as 620 kilometers, or 334 nautical miles.

The 999 will send a number of medical personnel to Europe for further training, and invite foreign experts to help its staff improve competency in air medical service.

An official with the 999 said they plan to establish a professional air rescue team in five years.

By the end of 2010, only 178 civil helicopters were registered at China's Civil Aviation Administration, and none of them were equipped as air ambulances.