Bangalore: The crash of the helicopter belonging to the IAF's Sarang display team has brought home the truth that things can go wrong at air shows. One of the worst accidents happened in 2002 when a Sukhoi-27 ploughed into spectators at Liviv, Ukraine, killing 80.

With up to a lakh people expected at Aero India 2007 during the days when it is open to the public and in view of the increased flying, a comprehensive Disaster Management Group has been set up, with the medical team being spearheaded by the hospital at Yelahanka Air Force station.

Control room

"We hope for the best but are prepared for the worst," says Group Captain Sunil Kumar, Squadron Commander (Medical), Yelahanka AFB.

Gp. Capt. Kumar's team have been planning for a year now. It will be setting up a mini hospital in the main display viewing area and medical aid posts at the exhibition area and a temporary hangar.

A dedicated medical control room has been set up with hotlines to all major hospitals in the city.

Over 250 beds and 400 units of blood have been kept as stand by at the hospitals.

Special ambulances

For the flying crew, special crash ambulances and search and rescue (SAR) helicopters have been earmarked with onboard medics.

The SAR choppers will be used in case a crash happens outside the base and to transport victims directly to a helipad at the Army Service Corps Centre, Airport Road. Eight ambulances at the venue will be from the IAF and the State Government is arranging for 10, all equipped with medical and paramedical staff.

At the base hospital, an operation theatre will be on standby with an anaesthesiologist to perform "life and limb saving surgeries." Ten doctors at the hospital have various specialisations but are all trained in emergency medicine because of their service backgrounds.

At previous airshows, the team has handled a variety of cases of medical emergency ranging from heart attacks to dehydration, especially the latter of which there were many cases thanks to the pre-summer sun. For the team, time is of essence because air accidents are so severe the Golden Hour is a luxury, with only a few minutes to save lives.

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