TOostana, 46 years old, Serena Caruso, moved by the passion transmitted by her builder father who transported materials to high altitudes by helicopter, in 2006 he obtained his helicopter pilot’s license. She entered rescue work, which immediately became her vocation. Today he is Commander at the HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) bases in Como and Brescia. To better manage the emotional component, in 2022 she graduated in Psychologystrengthening its professional and human skills.
6.30 am
«The alarm rings and, after a walk with my little dog Freud, I have breakfast with rice milk, cereals and fruit. It’s the only routine, then the day is unpredictable. I check the weather forecast to at least know the weather conditions.”
8 am
«I leave Freud at the dog daycare and reach the base for the handover with my colleagues on the night shift. In the pilots office, we evaluate the missions carried out and any critical issues. With the crew – co-pilot, winch technician, resuscitation doctor, nurse and mountain guide – I have a briefing in the hangar. We cover procedures, organization and radio communications. It is essential to know each other’s limits and abilities, especially for operations in inaccessible areas.”
An air rescue pilot, he is responsible for the day and night rescue missions carried out with his crew.
9.30 am
«We are often activated immediately by the operations center. We intervene for illnesses, accidents or losses. With my flight suit and helmet, in a few minutes I am ready for the air ambulance to take off. We define the best strategy, then we evaluate the specific needs on site. Clarity, judgment and respect for roles are needed, as a primary guarantee of the safety of the operation.”
11.30am
«We return to base and, if there are no emergencies, we have lunch together. Then I look at the flight manual.”
3.30pm
«At this time, requests for rescue often arrive in the mountains. The medical personnel are lowered with the winch. Safety is guaranteed by the mountain guide who supervises their every movement. I’m waiting for recovery.”
5.30pm
«We return to base and everyone restores their equipment, while the helicopter is refueled. For any interventions after sunset, I recondition the helmet with night vision goggles which guarantee operations equal to daytime operations. Then I prepare the material for the CRM (Crew Resource Management) training courses, which I hold for pilots and healthcare personnel, focused on leadership, decision-making ability and problem solving, necessary to prevent errors”.
8pm
«After the handover, I return home with Freud. I take stock of the day, then I take my mind off it and have dinner».
9.30pm
«I’m planning a mountain excursion with friends. After a week of 12-hour shifts – day or night – I am entitled to a week of rest, in which I dedicate myself to trekking or mountaineering. I fall asleep tired but happy to do the job I love. I’m pleased that the number of capable and determined female riders is increasing, beyond any stereotype.”
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