Flying paramedics

Gravity-defying paramedics in Iron Man style jet suits such as this could soon be the norm in hard-to-access regions of the UK.

Alongside jet suit designers Gravity Industries, the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) conducted a trial in the challenging terrain of northern England's Lake District, where without the aid of a helicopter, making it to immobile casualties can involve hour long hikes.

As GNAAS director Andy Mawson explains, for paramedics like him, time is of the essence.

Mawson: "You know, for our paramedics to get on the scene within a matter of minutes, and recognise that can mean the difference between life and death."

Piloting the suit for the test, Gravity Industries founder and suit developer Richard Browning swept over grassy knolls and up a hillside in search of a party of injured walkers in a simulated casualty scenario. He reached the fell summit in just 90 seconds, a great improvement on the 25 minutes it would take on foot.

Andy Mawson is keen for the GNAAS to exploit this ground breaking technology.

Mawson: "So, there is, you know, there's no real reason why in the fullness of time, that we won't see GNAAS paramedics using that technology, saving lives and easing suffering."

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