- Delays in traffic, distance, and address description in emergencies waste seconds [1]Source: UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) -- Managing Health and Safety in Film Production — hse.gov.uk.
- Set areas can often be outside the city, plateaus, or hard-to-reach regions.
- A professional ambulance team performs the first intervention at the scene and transports the patient to the appropriate hospital after stabilizing them [2]Source: US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) — osha.gov.
Therefore, keeping a fully equipped emergency ambulance and experienced team is the most correct approach, especially in projects containing risky scenes.
Points to Consider in Pre-Set Health Planning
Producers and set managers need to answer these questions [1]Source: UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) -- Managing Health and Safety in Film Production — hse.gov.uk:
- Are there high-risk scenes (fight, vehicle chase, explosion, etc.) in the daily shooting plan?
- Is the ambulance entry-exit route to the shooting area clear?
- Are there people with chronic diseases or special conditions among the actors and crew?
- Have nearby hospitals and emergency services been determined in advance?
This information helps professional teams like Nova Ambulans analyze risks correctly and suggest appropriate solutions.
Short Health Guide for Set Crew and Actors
There are some simple rules everyone should pay attention to for shoots to proceed more safely:
- Consume water regularly on long shooting days, avoid heavy and fatty foods.
- Definitely do warm-up exercises before scenes requiring warm-up (running, fight, dance).
- Report the situation immediately to the manager and health team when you do not feel well.
- Do not remove safety equipment (belt, helmet, knee pad, etc.) because "it is not visible"; scene design should be planned according to this equipment [2]Source: US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) — osha.gov.
A professional set is measured not only by image and content quality but also by the value it gives to human life. Planning the health team and ambulance from the beginning in your film and series projects minimizes potential risks and gives confidence to the whole team.
Nova Ambulans offers health and ambulance solutions suitable for needs for sets of different scales.
Frequently Asked Questions
In what kind of scenes should an ambulance definitely be kept?
It is especially critical to keep an ambulance and health team in scenes containing falling from height, vehicle chase, crowded war/crowd plan, explosion, or intense physical effort. Since it is known that the risk increases in these scenes, a detailed health plan must be made in advance.
How long in advance should we make the ambulance reservation for the set?
Especially in large productions, it is ideal to make a reservation at least a few days, if possible a week before shooting starts. Thus, the appropriate vehicle and team combination for high-risk days in the shooting plan can be guaranteed.
Can the ambulance team undertake both on-set first aid and external transfers at the same time?
In an emergency, priority is determined according to the medical need at that moment; therefore, it is healthiest to choose a team dedicated only to this project for set safety. In case of need, planning a second ambulance or support team protects both the set flow and health safety.
