Search and Rescue (SAR) teams from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station conducted two separate Medical Evacuations (MEDEVACs) from Orcas Island on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014.
The first evacuation took place at approximately 3:30 a.m. following a call for evacuation for a 44-year-old man suffering from epileptic seizures. The second call came later that morning for a 76-year-old man suffering from cardiac infarction. The first patient was taken to Island Hospital in Anacortes vice St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham due to deteriorating weather conditions. The second patient was taken to St. Josephs.
“The Orcas paramedics did a great job preparing the patients for transportation,” said Lt. Cmdr. David Waner, the SAR officer in charge. “Deteriorating weather made the missions challenging, but both crews did a great job in less than optimal conditions to make the evacuations successful.”
NAS Whidbey Island SAR has launched on 22 search and rescue missions and six medical evacuations this year, resulting in 40 lives saved.
The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60 helicopters from NAS Whidbey as search and rescue platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation. The base also has an agreement to assist Washington State with medical evacuations and search and rescue activities.