The Red Cross Air Mercy Service: A developing air medical service in Southern Africa

Abstract

In the summer of 1913 at Farnborough UK, “Colonel” Samuel F. Cody was preparing a new floatplane for a round-Britain flying race. One of the features of the floatplane, a biplane with a 4-bladed pusher propeller, was a demonstrated ability to carry passengers. Cody calculated that it would allow him to carry 5 passengers for a 4-hour flight and may even have medical uses. He arranged a demonstration of its potential as an air ambulance 4 years before the first air medical evacuation. 1 The idea of using airplanes to evacuate the wounded from the battlefields of World War I was born. The International Red Cross (IRC) as a neutral power in times of war and destruction was founded in accordance with the principles and objectives of the IRC and Red Crescent Movement and in support of the national health systems to contribute to the improvement in the quality of life of all communities through the facilitation of access to equitable and effective health care and the provision of air medical and other associated humanitarian services.