Excellence in Technology Ambulance Victoria’s Can-Am

Oversnow Patient Retrieval Vehicle

Ambulance Victoria

Team: Rob Heaslip, Narelle Capp, Richard Aspinall, Simon Etherington (Mader International), Falls Creek Alpine Paramedic Team, Ambulance Victoria's Health and Safety Team and VECG representatives

Ambulance Victoria (AV) is committed to reliable patient care service and transport for alpine environments. Its Can-Am Oversnow Ambulance has been heralded as the first of its kind in Australia. During Victoria’s winter snow season (June – October), AV provides on-mountain paramedic response to the community within the Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Mt Buller ski resorts and precincts.

In winter 2022, AV welcomed the purpose-built dual cab Can-Am Oversnow Ambulance ('Can-Am') vehicle to its fleet. Specifically designed for snow conditions, the Can-Am offers superior support with patient recovery and stretcher carrying capability. It is used alongside two existing ski-doos at Falls Creek, which are still required for appropriate responses to the ski fields and adjoining areas unsuitable for Can-Am access.

AV has found that the Can-Am's capabilities are best suited for responses to incidents in the alpine village areas and immediate surrounds. It is:

• An enclosed transport option with protection from the extreme weather for paramedics, patients, and equipment.

• Equipped with manual handling equipment, such as a stair chair to assist with areas of difficult egress.

• The only alpine-based vehicle in AV’s fleet with the capacity to carry four passengers and a patient, a unique attribute for these types of vehicles.

The introduction of this multi-functional vehicle supports paramedics to provide clinical care in diverse environments such as the Victorian snow fields. Without an all-terrain vehicle, designed specifically for retrieving and transporting patients in alpine environments, paramedics had been undertaking ad-hoc and risky manual handing manoeuvres. There was an opportunity to improve patient care in line with AV’s Best Care standard.