LifeFlight

After working near the Arctic Circle, Swedish doctor Stefan Sjödin has flown across the world to work as one of LifeFlight’s newest critical care doctors in Bundaberg.  

The new retrieval registrar who will be flying out to missions in the Fraser Coast region said he’s used to working close to the polar circle.

“I normally work in the northern part of Sweden, with not a lot of chances to work as a retrieval doctor,” Dr Sjödin said.

“To be able to work in a climate like Australia and work on a retrieval service, it was too good not to.”

Dr Sjödin said it’s already starting to feel like home.

“It seems like a very beautiful place with nice people and I’m very interested in the local history and getting to know the people,” he said.

Dr Sjödin completed a week of intensive aeromedical training at the LifeFlight Training Academy in Brisbane in preparation for the new role.

The program put him to the test through clinical scenarios, winching, Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) and sea survival, helping ensure he’s rescue ready from day one.

During HUET, he was taken through multiple scenarios simulating a helicopter crash into water and how to safely exit the aircraft.

LifeFlight HUET Manager Mick Dowling said the specialist training gives doctors the necessary skills to work safely on board a helicopter.

“Our mission is to have the doctors skilled with the confidence to be able to deal with any aviation situation that they may be faced with,” he said.

“The common response we get from them after the completion is that it was challenging and uncomfortable, but overall, an amazing experience.”

After being tumbled upside down through the water and learning how to survive out on the open water, he was taken through winching procedures.

LifeFlight Deputy Chief Aircrew Officer Todd Seymour said the winch training prepared them for the unpredictability of the role.

“No two days are the same for us at LifeFlight.”