[Operational medical reserve within the French Mililitary Health Service].

The operational reserve is an essential component of the army health service thanks to the trained and experienced healthcare professionals. From a civilian background or with prior active duty, their technical and military skills enable them to provide medical support for all types of missions, both within France and abroad.

An example of extreme cardiology: chest pain on the high seas and helicoptered medical evacuations: the French Navy experience.

Medicalized high sea rescue is very different from prehospital medical evacuation. It requires specifically trained medical teams because the difficulties are marine, aerial, and medically related. The French Navy provides medical evacuations by helicopter on the Atlantic coast, up to 320 km offshore and under all weather conditions.

[Acute heart disease in search and rescue helicopter missions, from French Navy. A retrospective study from 2000 to 2007].

Background: Search and rescue helicopters from the French navy conduct ambulance and search and rescue missions near the western coast of the French Britain. The team on board includes military doctor and paramedic. Operations in this area are challenging due to long distances and severe weather conditions.