What is a modern ambulance?

There is no more critical vehicle in the world than an ambulance. When a person is healthy, an ambulance is just another vehicle on the road, but when health problems occur, it becomes a real savior. An ambulance is a high-tech vehicle equipped with a wide variety of medical equipment used mainly in emergencies. In our article, we will briefly review the key features of modern ambulances and explain their innovative technologies.

Main characteristics

In most countries of the world, identical vehicles are used as ambulances. They have approximately similar characteristics and differ only in additional capabilities. A characteristic feature inherent in most ambulances is the presence of a powerful gasoline or diesel engine with a volume of 2 liters or more. It is necessary so that the vehicle can develop high speeds and deliver a person needing help to a medical facility in the shortest possible time.

Almost all ambulances are equipped with a multi-speed manual transmission. It is considered more reliable, so the likelihood that it will lead at the most inopportune moment will be minimal. Among other features of vehicles of this purpose, it is necessary to highlight the presence of front or all-wheel drive (rear wheel drive is used extremely rarely). Both options provide better traction on wet or slippery roads, allowing you to deliver the patient to a medical facility quickly.

Exterior design

Ambulances must always stand out from other vehicles, so their design is carefully developed and approved by several authorities. In most cases, modern ambulances look like RVs converted into specialized transport. Anyone can buy an RV at a salvage RVS auction.

Depending on the specific purpose, ambulances have a specific color (different colors and design options can be used), as well as active (flashing lights) and passive (symbols or inscriptions created using reflective materials) visual elements. They are all used to identify the ambulance, among many other vehicles quickly.

Interior space

To understand a modern ambulance, you need to go inside. There, you can see various devices and equipment necessary to provide primary or emergency medical care. In addition, there are many other unusual things inside the ambulance, but let’s consider everything in order.

Design nuances

Let’s start with the design of a modern ambulance’s interior. It is separated from the cabin and protected from excess vibration, loud external sounds, and heat loss. Inside the car, various shelves and cabinets are necessary to safely store and transport medical devices, equipment, and medications. These products are fixed to the car’s side panels, preventing them from falling or shifting while driving.

The ambulance has several seats in addition to cabinets and shelves. Their number and location depend on the specific purpose of the medical transport. Further, in the cabin, there is a separate module for patients. It has space for stretchers and many small shelves, cabinets, and containers for storing everything necessary for therapeutic procedures. Additionally, the ambulance has space for an oxygen cylinder and sizeable medical equipment.

Available medical equipment

Ambulances would be useless if their interior space were not filled with various medical equipment. Its list is selected depending on the specific purpose of the vehicle and the tasks that the medical team must be able to solve. Despite this feature, all ambulances, without exception, will have a defibrillator, cardiograph, aspirator and various oxygen equipment.

A defibrillator is a device used for cardiopulmonary resuscitation of a patient. It makes it possible to restore the heart rhythm and save the patient from death. A cardiograph, also present in all ambulances, is a device with which an electrocardiogram is obtained. It allows doctors to quickly assess the condition of the heart and take the necessary measures to improve the patient’s condition. Another essential device is an aspirator. It is required for sucking out blood and other fluids from the body cavity and open wounds. 

In some cases, this device becomes a real savior of the life and health of patients. Various oxygen equipment, always present in an ambulance, deserves the same status. It is used in cases where a person cannot breathe independently and needs emergency assistance.

Communication facilities

Modern ambulances are full of various functional devices. These include communication devices. They play an essential role in helping exchange messages with the control center, medical institution, or medical team members.

The primary means of communication is two-way radio. It can be of two types. The first is the traditional analog UHF/VHF version. Until recently, it was the only solution and was used on all ambulances without exception. However, in modern realities, it has been replaced by digital systems. They are more secure and reliable, so they always work without failures and exclude eavesdropping by strangers. In addition to two-way radio, modern ambulances sometimes use the mobile data terminal. It performs many additional functions and allows the control center to receive various data on the medical team’s work.

Security facilities

It is hard to believe, but according to statistics, ambulances are among the vehicles most often involved in accidents. Even a bright visual difference from other cars and enormous fines for creating obstacles to emergency vehicles do not help to correct the situation. In this regard, many safety elements and systems are used in modern ambulances. The simplest thing in such a car is seat belts. They are available on all seats and in specially equipped places for bedridden patients. In an accident or sudden braking, they help avoid falls and impacts with any medical equipment.

In addition to seat belts, ambulances have many systems that help to avoid accidents and reduce their negative consequences. Their list depends on the vehicle manufacturer and the specific model of the car on which the ambulance is based. However, in most cases, it has the same systems as other vehicles of a similar type. Recently, some countries have also begun to use surveillance cameras to ensure the safety of the medical team. They help prevent attacks on medical workers and record any unlawful events that do occur.

Modern technologies used

Modern technologies are rapidly changing the things we are used to. They are gradually being introduced into ambulances, where they help the medical team cope with their challenging work more effectively. Among the many innovative solutions, intelligent assist technology deserves special attention. It is used only on some of the newest ambulances but has already shown excellent results. Based on RFID technology, it makes it possible to automatically take inventory of everything inside the car (medicines, equipment, etc.). This guarantees complete control over the situation without involving people in such work.

Another modern development that is being tested on some ambulance models and is already being used on others is the Door Assist technology. It makes it possible to silently close the car doors without interfering with the doctors doing their job. This technology will be beneficial in cases where various resuscitation measures are carried out, where any failure in the work of doctors can cost a person his life.

Under the influence of modern technologies, many ambulance manufacturers have begun transforming them into electric cars. This decision is due to the global electrification of transport and the desire to minimize harmful substances’ emissions into the atmosphere. This process was launched relatively recently. However, various problematic issues have prevented us from having fully electric ambulances today. At the same time, there is no doubt that this will happen and open up even more excellent opportunities for introducing modern technologies.

Ambulances are an essential part of any city’s life. They transport many patients who need medical care daily to medical institutions. These cars are equipped with modern equipment, and new technologies are gradually introduced. Together, they become unique vehicles that people will never be able to live without.