If reports from Suzuka are true, that there were no MedEvac helicopters on site, then somebody has some serious explaining to do, this race should not have been started at all.
[update] - It has now been confirmed that MedEvac helicopters were in fact on site, but were unused. The reason for this has not been announced. A MedEvac helicopter went to Mie General Hospital around the same time as the Police escorted ambulance, presumedly in case of a further transfer to the larger Nagoya University Hospital.
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Appendix H of the FIA's Medical Regulations 2.7.3.8 Casualty evacuation service
Particular measures for F1, WTCC and WEC (recommended in other cases):
a)In case of accident, the evacuation procedure is decided by the Chief Medical Officer.b) For evacuating a casualty to hospital, the following must be present on site:
- two medically equipped ambulances for a transfer under intensive care (equipment and presence of a doctor proficient in resuscitation on board). At least one of them must be stationed at the medical centre (see Supplement 5).
- except in case of exemption (cf. e))*, at least one helicopter that is medically equipped and operational at the time it leaves for a transfer under intensive care (equipment in conformity with the requirements of the aviation authority of the country concerned, carrying in particular a fixed stretcher, and with a doctor proficient in resuscitation on board) (see Supplement 5).For events taking place wholly or partly at night, appropriate equipment must be foreseen, including for the hospitals mentioned in the medical questionnaire, except in case of exemption (see point e)).
Each day, the helicopter must be present at its station at least one hour before the start of any timed session, and must not leave the circuit until authorised to do so by the Race Director in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer. This condition also applies to any support events scheduled to take place on the occasion of an FIA World Championship event.
*e) On the joint, co-signed advice of the FIA Medical Delegate and the Race Director, a circuit may be exempted from the presence of a helicopter on site. This exemption may concern all or some of the days of the event. It is valid only for the round of the FIA World Championship that is the subject of the request.
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Summary table of the maximum time authorised for primary hospital transfers under intensive care (except for serious burns) except in a case of force majeure:
Helicopter, to reach each hospital (in normal conditions)
approx.
20 minutes
Ambulance, if the helicopter has left on a mission to transfer a first casualty, to reach the hospital presumed necessary (regardless of the conditions)
approx.
20 minutes
Ambulance under escort in case of helicopter exemption, to reach each hospital (regardless of the conditions)
approx.
20 minutes
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From formula1.com
''At all races, the FIA's chief medical delegate, Doctor Ian Roberts, will be on stand-by at all times in the medical chase car at the end of the pit lane. In this he can be quickly driven to the scene of any major injury. When he arrives at the stricken race car, a warning light system located on the top of cockpit provides an immediate indication of the severity of the accident.
The first port of call for most drivers involved in an accident will be the circuit’s medical centre, which is nothing short of a miniature hospital. It must be equipped with the latest medical devices, including full resuscitation equipment and its own operating theatre, and be manned at all hours by one of three shifts, each including an orthopaedic surgeon, an anaesthetist and six paramedics.
Local hospitals will also be on stand-by during the course of a race so that very serious injuries can be transferred to them if appropriate. A MedEvac helicopter manned by a doctor, two paramedics and a pilot is ready to fly at all times, a second helicopter is kept ready outside the circuit and four additional ambulances are posted around the race track. If conditions are such that a helicopter could not take off from the circuit or land at the hospital, due to fog for example, then the race cannot go ahead.''
). Nowdays they don`t have to anymore, even when their tyres are at the end of their life cycle its no issue to drive at SC speed until pit lanes opens.
