In the city of Puerto Varas has been installed an emergency helicopter operations center for southern Chile. At the base, a Bell 212 helicopter will operate, equipped with a mobile ICU and medical equipment for the patient to receive the first care, stabilization in the accident site and care during transport to hospital.

“The use of helicopters to evacuate critically ill patients is crucial and can make the difference between life and death. The golden hour, that is the first minutes after an accident is when the patient should be treated by trained medical personnel so they can qualify for a more rapid recovery, minimizing the potential consequences and even death”, said the Managing Director of INAER Chile, Rodrigo Lizasoain.

The area is one of the most complex of the Chilean territory in terms of its geographical conditions, highlighted by its difficult access areas like Palena, Futaleufu and Chaiten and the islands of Chiloe in the south, to which this modern aeromedical emergency services can access without complications. During the summer season increases considerably the number of traffic accidents in the area of ??the southern lakes, places where the helicopter can quickly access, making it the most efficient means to attend a medical emergency.