2 ambulance boats for Dubai waters

If you suffer a medical emergency while at sea, land may seem further away than ever before, as calling an ambulance seems to be rather inefficient. This is soon to change, as Dubai Ambulance is currently studying the operation of ambulance boats. Two boats will be deployed and they will be safeguarding the emirate's waters, including sea, canal and creek, said Zaid Al Mamari, Teamleader at the Seaports Team of Dubai Ambulance. Currently, Dubai Ambulance works with Dubai Coast Guard when it comes to an emergency on sea, he explained. “They go out there and pick up the person, while we wait for him on land. As soon as the person arrives we take over." Two different models are in the pipeline. “A large boat will be operated for operations on sea, and a smaller vessel for operations on canal waterways. “The large boat would be 30ft and be fully equipped, including two stretchers. The smaller boat would be 8ft,” said Al Mamari. With the addition of these vessels the ambulance fleet will expand its coverage of different areas in Dubai, aiming to be able to access any location in case of a medical emergency. Recently Dubai Ambulance added the Desert Responder to its fleet; a 4x4 offroader that is able to navigate through a large crowd, access hard to reach off-road locations and maneuver through narrow passages. In an interview with Emirates 24|7 last year Omer Ahmad Al Sakaf of the Medical and Technical Affairs Department of Dubai Ambulance said the fleet counted 20 types of ambulance services, each dedicated to specific situations. “For locations with narrow streets we have motorbikes and bicycles. We have three ambulance buses for crisis situations, and several ambulances that can reach a location faster than any other ambulance services; these are employed for the first aid required.” “Further, a ‘mama’ ambulance, specially designed for women who are about to deliver; a heavyweight ambulance; and a wheelchair ambulance belong to the fleet of Dubai Ambulance.”