SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles started the new year off by providing assistance to a 70 year old male reported to be suffering from respiratory ailments on Catalina Island.
Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach’s Command Center located on Terminal Island dispatched an HH-65 rescue helicopter from Air Station Los Angeles after receiving a call to provide a medical evacuation to the mainland for a male located on Catalina Island. Due to the reported condition of the male, the aircrew picked up a paramedic from the Los Angeles County Fire Department prior to departing for Catalina Island.
After the initial launch, the aircrew had to turn back to the Air Station due to low clouds and dense fog. On the second attempt, the aircrew made it to the island and landed at Catalina Airport in Avalon.
Once on the ground at Catalina Airport the paramedic met with the island medical staff to receive the patient. The aircrew was then able to depart Catalina Island and transported the patient to Torrance Memorial Medical Center without further incident.
In 2008 Air Station Los Angeles performed more the two dozen medical evacuations.
