Kylie's Adventures, Continued: Air Link, Bend Oregon

Yesterday, Kylie went on another emergency services field trip that was set up by Grandpa Cary, and this time, I got to accompany her.  We went to AirLink, which is located next to the Emergency Room entrance of St. Charles Hospital in Bend.  In fact, AirLink is owned by St. Charles.  

We met with Dee Dee, a registered nurse, who flies in the emergency helicopter.  We could not have asked for a better tour guide.  Dee Dee is a wonderful, vibrant woman who really cared about Kylie's interest in Emergency Services.

First of all, Dee Dee showed us the separate bedrooms where the nurse and pilots slept while they were on call.  Then she led us into a large room with tables and equipment, where we settled down for a question and answer time.

Kylie and I learned that besides the pilot, AirLink flies with a registered nurse and a respiratory therapist on each flight.  The nurses receive months of training before being allowed to fly out on an emergency.  The job that Dee Dee has is very difficult to get, because there are not many of them around.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Dee Dee told us that besides flying to automobile and motorcycle accidents, they mainly fly heart patients and those with difficulty breathing into the emergency room.  Farm accidents also rank high on their injury list.  Logging accident calls are down now, due to the slowdown in the logging industry in Central Oregon.

After we were done with our interview time, Dee Dee led us into the hanger.  We got to take a good look at their main emergency helicopter.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

This cool chopper holds two patients as well as the flight crew.  It can fly a 150 mile radius from the hospital and get back before having to refuel.  Sometimes they fly all the way to Boise, Idaho.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Dee Dee and Kylie.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

The Cockpit:

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

The Patient Area:

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Kylie and I were there for about 40 minutes, and it was one of the most awesome field trips that I have ever been on.  


Thank you, AirLink and St. Charles, for all you do for our community.  And, thank you, Dee Dee, for spending your valuable time with us yesterday.  We really learned a lot, and appreciate your hard work and dedication to saving lives.

For more about Kylie's Emergency Service adventures in Central Oregon, please click on this link:  Kylie Rides Along with Sheriff Pete.

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