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Topics: Technology, UK News, NHS
Tom Fenton
High speed jet suits could soon be used in the Lake District, with Great North Air Ambulance (GNNA) staff completing training to use the pack solo.
Jet packs being used for the purpose of rescuing people stuck in previously inaccessible terrains has been made possible by the evolution of the technology in recent years.
One such pioneer in this sphere is Richard Browning, whose company, Gravity Industries, makes jet pack suits that can reach speeds of 85 mph.
As the BBC reports, such speeds could theoretically allow emergency personnel to respond to incidents much quicker than was previously possible.
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You can watch a trial of the tech in night conditions on Dartmoor last month here:
The BBC reports one GNAA staff member has already completed training to use the suit solo, with two more about to start the programme.
Andy Mawson, GNAA operations director (who’s completed the training himself) said: “We’re still awestruck by it, everyone looks at the wow factor and the fact we are the world’s first jet suit paramedics but for us it’s about delivering patient care."
The thinking behind the implementation of such technology is to get paramedics to patients in need of emergency care faster than ever before, as every second counts in such scenarios.
While the process of designing and producing jet packs is still very expensive, as well as time consuming, the rise of new manufacturers is helping to push the industry forwards as a whole.
For instance, JetPack Aviation, spearheaded by David Mayman, have already sold two units to an unnamed military client in South Asia.
While you shouldn't expect to see paramedics donning jetsuits any time soon, the relatively primitive (for the time being) technology within them has the potential to save countless lives one day.
One only needs look at the evolution of Browning's speed records to see just how quickly the industry is moving in terms of development.
In 2019, he hit a personal record top speed of 85 mph, which more than doubled his previous best of 32 mph set in 2017.
While his creation is still slightly rough around the edges, 'Iron Man' Browning's pushing of the technological barrier is a great sign of what's to come.