Embed

Sky Rescue

A week with an air ambulance crew in Russia’s Far North

In Russia’s Far North, where the Nenets reindeer herders roam the vast tundra, medical help is not easy to find. The Arctic nomads live almost the same lifestyle as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago: they pitch traditional rawhide tents called chums, continuously move in search for new pastures and have limited contact with the outside world.

The Nenets nomads usually own a satellite or a mobile phone to contact the air ambulance service. If there’s no network coverage, they travel dozens of kilometres in search for the nearest settlement and a mobile phone signal.

When the Nenets reindeer herders need urgent medical treatment, they rely on the air ambulance service. In cases of injury, illness, or labour, the flying medics come to their assistance. Although unpredictable weather on the Yamal peninsula makes each air ambulance sortie even more intense and dangerous, the helicopter pilots and ambulance crews know every mound of the tundra and can react quickly. 

Nadezhda Vanuyto is taken to hospital to have her baby as doctors know she has a congenital heart defect.

Meet some of the Yamal tundra’s hardy natives and the intrepid rescue crew that must brave some of the most daunting weather conditions on the planet. 

As each flight costs around $4,000, the paramedics usually fly to see several patients, planning their route beforehand.

Follow stories the mainstream media ignores: Follow RTD's Twitter

WATCH TRAILER
Please rate this film

9.17(17 users)

Published: 23 February 2014 00:00

View: 1310

Duration

26:07

Tags
Watch this film in Russian

don't miss

26:33 4870
Discovering Russia 08 July 2013 00:00

Children of the Tundra. Nomadic Nenets children at a city boarding school miss the freedom of the Arctic

26:33 13654
Meeting with Nature 14 October 2015 00:00

The Permafrost Mystery. Scientists explore giant Yamal Sinkhole

26:33 1063
Meeting with Nature 02 April 2021 17:00

Black Holes of Yamal. Scientists unraveling the mystery of Siberia’s giant craters

26:33 6296
Professions 15 December 2017 00:00

Saviour St. Young paramedics brave El Salvador gang violence to save lives

26:33 963
Lifestyle 04 January 2021 20:00

Tundra Wonder Mums . Tundra is their office, Far North is their employer

26:33 481
Health 04 November 2020 20:00

Vaccinauts. They say how they feel after taking the Russian COVID vaccine

26:33 4186
Health 03 August 2016 00:00

Last Wishes. Dutch volunteers challenge death by realising last wishes for dying people

26:33 599
Health 13 July 2022 12:00

Dr Donbass: Living on the edge . Medics save lives under shelling

26:33 1572
Health 18 July 2022 12:00

Dr Donbass: Behind the frontline. Heroic routine of Donbass medical units

26:33 597
Society 22 August 2022 12:00

Lugansk’s Forgotten Children. Helping disabled children left behind in the conflict

26:33 5142
Military and War 14 October 2013 00:00

Firepower: Air. A rundown of fighter jets in the Russian Air Force

26:33 3376
Professions 21 December 2015 00:00

High Flyers. Russia's Top Guns Showcase their Aviation Skills

26:33 325
Sport 31 August 2020 19:00

Sky-High Dreams . Members of Russian flying club prepare for a fierce aerobatics competition

26:33 325
Professions 17 November 2021 12:00

Aviator Girl. Ups and downs of a pilot's job

26:33 9687
Emergencies and Disasters 22 April 2013 00:00

Chelyabinsk skyfall. The meteor blast that terrified a Russian town & injured 100s

26:33 3491
Lifestyle 26 January 2018 00:00

Rad or Dead. Rooftoppers defy death for internet fame

26:33 316
Emergencies and Disasters 24 January 2022 12:00

Forest Under Attack. Dismal results of deforestation

26:33 105839
Investigation 22 October 2014 00:00

MH-17: The Untold Story. Exploring possible causes of the tragedy

26:33 6676
Personalities 19 May 2017 00:00

Skybound. Downed in the wilderness, he lost both legs but kept on flying

26:33 1237
Emergencies and Disasters 15 April 2020 19:00

Notre Dame: Burning Questions. Why the Paris cathedral fire happened at just the right moment

VIEWER’S CHOICE: 1,000,000 VIEWS AND MORE

VIEW ALL