Canada unveils heavyweight ambulance

[Gan]

Healthcare officials in Calgary (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=) have unveiled a new ambulance designed for treating and transporting obese patients (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=) in an emergency, believed to be the first of its kind in this country.


The ambulance is equipped with a wide stretcher and a mechanical lift that gently raises patients weighing up to 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms) into the carriage.

"The population is becoming heavier and we needed an ambulance that could handle bigger loads and to reduce injuries to our paramedics from lifting," Emergency Medical Services supervisor Eric Arnestad told AFP.

According to Statistics Canada (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=), the number of Canadians who are overweight or obese has risen dramatically in recent years, mirroring a worldwide phenomena. More than 20 percent, or six million Canadians are considered obese.

Calgarian Chad Campbell, who weighs more than 560 pounds (250 kilograms), welcomed the new crash wagon, telling public broadcaster (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=) CBC it used to take four firemen and two paramedics to transport him to hospital.

"The standard ambulances aren't really geared to handle situations like that," he said.

A regular ambulance is sized for patients weighing up to 350 pounds (160 kilograms), officials said.

http://img.breitbart.com/images/2007/6/25/070625171516.xkwga1hv/SGE.QRX41.250607165316.photo00.photo.jpg

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070625171516.xkwga1hv&show_article=1

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Personally I could think of more interesting photos of like vehicles necessary for this task (on a humorous note...).

Also.
I wonder if the press agency noticed that the photo they used for the story had "sars sucks" written in shaving cream on the back of the ambulance. :lol:

[StrayRogue]

SARS does indeed suck.

[Atlanteax]

Maybe they can decline to transport the obsese instead of wasting tax payer dollars like this.

[Kranar]

I wonder if the press agency noticed that the photo they used for the story had "sars sucks" written in shaving cream on the back of the ambulance.


Clearly not since the health care system in Calgary is independent of the health care system in Toronto; thus showing a Toronto ambulance in regards to a story about Calgary is pretty idiotic.

That ambulance is just a regular Toronto ambulance.

[Asha]

Maybe they can decline to transport the obsese instead of wasting tax payer dollars like this.

Are all obese people that way because of fault of their own?

[Kranar]

An individual is responsible for their own obesity, I would say.

[Asha]

An individual is responsible for their own obesity, I would say.

Responsible as in, to blame?

[Blazing247]

Fucking hell, a hambulance. They should just modify an Oscar Weiner truck and throw a lightbar on top.

[Kranar]

Depends what you mean by blame. I for one don't care much about blame and playing the blame game and pointing fingers really means nothing in the end.

Results are what matter... rather than an obese person thinking that they have some genetic disorder, which statistically they most likely do not have, and just accepting their condition and living life as if it's normal... well it does them no good.

People die from obesity, plain and simple, blame your genetics, blame whatever you want, but if you're obese, you will die because of it at a much younger age. Imagine if people who got cancer just decided to blame their DNA for randomly mutating and decided not to go about getting treatment... you know, it's not my fault I have cancer, it's that damn DNA of mine, so I will just sit back and do nothing about it...

But of course this is the attitude that many people have when it comes to being overweight. Obesity is a disease, and it's one that can be cured. I really don't care to make obese people feel guilty or ashamed of their condition like they're some kind of social outcast... but come on, it must be pointed out that this is a health issue that can be solved and one that people can actually feel good about. Losing weight is just as noble and grand an accomplishment as say quitting smoking and I think we should focus on encouraging people to lose weight and live a more healthy life style.

[Sean]

"Imagine if people who got cancer just decided to blame their DNA for randomly mutating and decided not to go about getting treatment... you know, it's not my fault I have cancer, it's that damn DNA of mine, so I will just sit back and do nothing about it..."

Na they just sue cigarette companies instead. For lung cancer anyway. I'm sure they'll nail down telecom companies for those pesky cell phones soon enough.

[Asha]

Shame really since most that become so morbidly obese have no choice whatsoever but need assistance to be maneuvered in any way possible to get the help they need.
Some people might need that extra hand before, during or sadly after they've tried to live that elusive 'more healthy lifestyle'.

[Gan]

Fucking hell, a hambulance. They should just modify an Oscar Weiner truck and throw a lightbar on top.

ROFL

I seriously need photoshop on my PC at work. I can only imagine the OMW truck hybrid with an 18 wheeler wrecker. :lol:

[Ignot]

Not another who's at fault for being fat thread....

[Alfster]

Shame really since most that become so morbidly obese have no choice whatsoever but need assistance to be maneuvered in any way possible to get the help they need.

No choice whatsoever?

[Asha]

No choice but need assistance? Them who're incredibly fucked already?

[Alfster]

You're confusing me

[Asha]

Just saying those who've failed miserably to help themselves still deserve some kind of support.
But I still love :pig: :cry:
That's timeless

[Jayvn]

Is there a snackbar installed in the new ambulance? or at least a vending machine or something?

[radamanthys]

There's fat, and then there's fat. There's a massive distinction between someone who is endomorphic and can't seem to get their roundness in control, and someone who needs one of these ambulances.

Now, do you think it is a sign of the weakening, or strengthening of our culture that we choose to, in a sense, reward such maladapted behavior?