North Strand to have new Air Ambulance service

July 10, 2012 Little River, SC— McLeod Air Reach, the new air ambulance service provided by McLeod Health, will be introduced to the public during a dedication service to be held on July 28, 2012.  The primary purpose of McLeod Air Reach is to provide trained critical care staff to rapidly transport seriously ill or injured patients to McLeod Regional Medical Center.  McLeod Air Reach services will be provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

McLeod Air Reach, a partnership between McLeod Health and Med-Trans Corporation, will utilize a Bell 407 helicopter. Based at the Marion County Airport, the Bell, with a maximum speed of 260 miles an hour, can reach most points in the North Strand in a matter of minutes.

According to Med-Trans, the Air Reach flights are staffed by highly skilled medical experts capable of providing on scene care, at the referral hospital, and enroute to the appropriate medical facility. Med-Trans states that the flight medical crew generally consists of a critical care flight nurse and a specially trained flight paramedic, representing decades of emergency medical experience and trauma care.  A sophisticated communications system allows the flight team to confer with the medical centers emergency physicians.

McLeod Seacoast, in cooperation with local law enforcement and fire safety agencies, will host the  McLeod Air Reach Debut and Summer Safety Bash on Saturday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McLeod Seacoast, located at 4000 Highway 9 in Little River.

This event will offer several important health and safety programs, including: 

• Child Identification – Horry County Sheriff’s Department
• Medicine Drop – City of North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department
• Car Seat Safety Check – Safe Kids Pee Dee Coastal
• Fire Safety & Prevention – Horry County Fire & Rescue
• Water Safety – US Coast Guard and Department of Natural Resources

Children can enjoy fun activities such as face painting and families can take advantage of free CPR demonstrations and health screenings.  

In addition to the McLeod Air Reach helicopter, there will be fire trucks, ambulances, law enforcement vehicles--and plenty of photo opportunities for children and families.  
The City of North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department will be providing the opportunity for area residents to dispose of unwanted medications in a secure and anonymous manner.  Just bring your unwanted medications to the Medicine Drop Tent.  The use of prescription drugs is a leading cause of drug abuse among teens today.  Always keep medicine safely out of the reach of children and teens.  Remember to properly discard any expired or unwanted medications.

This event will provide a wonderful opportunity to learn about public safety and emergency care resources available for residents of Horry and Brunswick counties.