Babcock Scandinavian Air Ambulance (BSAA) and Swedish Air Ambulance (SLA) have awarded a contract to Auk Protection, a Swedish developer of protective equipment for helicopter professionals. The two operators will be able to fly their missions in the new EMS Collection by Auk Protection.

BSAA offers medical transports with fixed wing aircraft and helicopters from several regions in Scandinavia and will initially be equipping its helicopter pilots at its base in Uppsala in Sweden with the new EMS Collection. In Uppsala, BSAA operates with AW169 helicopters from Leonardo around the clock and in IFR conditions. The majority of its missions are intensive care transports and priority one alarms related to the Uppsala University Hospital.

“It feels great to have arrived at such a good solution and that we have been very active partners in the development of our new uniforms,” says Richard Johansson, a BSAA pilot based in Uppsala.

SLA provides prehospital ambulance care in large parts of Sweden. Onboard its fleet of H145 helicopters there are, apart from pilots, experienced anaesthesiologists and HEMS/nursing personnel that can provide top quality emergency care to sick or injured on site and during transport. SLA also provides intensive care transports between hospitals, both within and outside connected counties. Signing the contract means that central and county-based SLA personnel will be equipped with apparel from the new EMS Collection by AUK, which is specialised for crew needs both during flights and during work at accident sites.

“It feels amazing and inspiring to welcome Swedish Air Ambulance to the AUK family. The process of further optimising the apparel for SLA operations has already begun,” says Johan Baumann, co-owner and client manager of Auk Protection.

During the development of the EMS Collection, the user has always been the top priority. The apparel must meet the high demands of the crews and remain comfortable, efficient and modern, all while maintaining the highest quality in materials and details. The majority of the fabrics are sourced from within the EU, where all production takes place. The launch of the EMS Collection is one step in the mission of Auk Protection to improve everyday conditions for those working in and around helicopters.

“During the development of the EMS Collection the challenges have been many and exciting. Our own experiences as aviators have been useful, but the close collaboration with medical helicopter crews from around Europe has been invaluable. This makes us proud and confident in the launch of the EMS Collection,” continues Baumann.

The contract period with Swedish Air Ambulance is two years, with a potential extension of another one plus one years.