Next to take part in our special Spotlight feature is Captain Kev Rutherford, one of our very talented air ambulance pilots.

Meet Captain Kev Rutherford, one of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s (DSAA) highly skilled air ambulance pilots. With an impressive background in the Royal Navy and a passion for saving lives, Kev shares his journey, his role as a HEMS Aircraft Commander, and the challenges of flying critical missions.

I enjoy being able to get our brilliant clinicians as close to the scene as possible. I fly a very cool helicopter into some very interesting locations and get to deliver help to people in great need. What’s not to like?

What do you enjoy most about working with DSAA?

Being called out. When the phone rings we never know what the job is going to be and I really enjoy that. I also enjoy the responsibility that comes with trying to get the medical team to scene as efficiently and safely as we can – especially in poor weather.

What are the toughest challenges you have had at work?

Dealing with families at a very traumatic incident. We often attend the scene with the clinicians and help with the medical kit or to be available for aviation advice. This often brings us into close contact with the families of the patient and they are obviously having one of the worst days of their lives. That can be very emotional.

Where is the most difficult place you have had to land the helicopter?

Where we choose to land the helicopter is quite carefully controlled by regulations, so the actual location isn’t as challenging as landing on a ship for example. That said, landing in remote places at night using night vision goggles, especially in poor weather, isn’t for the faint hearted. It requires practice and a lot of experience.

Obviously, you get tasked to some very poorly patients, how do you cope with that?

After four years of flying for DSAA, I still really hope for busy days. I rationalise my enthusiasm to be called out with the knowledge that every person we see would suffer more, and often not even survive, if we don’t attend. Exposure to huge traumas and very poorly people, often several times a day, can be difficult, but doing it so often does normalise it. Some jobs can break through my ability to mentally compartmentalise and can stay with me – we all have our own triggers that can be upsetting. But the charity has a great welfare group that keeps an eye on everyone, particularly after a really bad job. We also have access to an excellent clinical psychologist should we need professional mental health advice, or even just a chat to someone in confidence who is independent of the charity.

Your wife Sam also works for DSAA as one of our patient and family liaison nurses, are there times when you work together on the same shift?

The patient and family liaison (PFL) team do not work shifts in the same way, so we don’t see too much of each other at work. However, sometimes Sam will be on the base, either for a patient visit or for training while I am on shift. Obviously, I am very aware of the outstanding work that the PFL team do. I am always keen to offer their card to patients and families on scene and explain the help that the service can provide. So, it is particularly rewarding when Sam hosts a patient/family visit from an incident that I attended. It feels as though we are providing a coherent and complete service together.

When you’re not at work, how do you like to spend your time?

We built our own house recently, moving in a little over a year ago. Naturally, there is still lots to do, particularly in the garden, so that keeps me very busy. But I love taking our 18-month-old black Labrador Holly for as many long walks as possible.

Where’s your favourite place to go on holiday?

As a family, we were really lucky to be able to travel extensively and all over the world during our 10 years in Oman. There are so many amazing experiences and places out there, but the only place we keep returning to is Cornwall. Both of our children were born there, so it holds a special place in our hearts. We try to go in late September (when it’s quieter) each year.

If you could fly any helicopter in the world, which one would it be?

I would love to have a go at a tilt rotor aircraft like the Osprey V22 or Leonardo’s new AW609. That would be a new challenge for sure.

What’s your secret talent/party trick?

I’m sure that it still qualifies, but a ‘secret’ talent might be that I did my degree in immunology and worked as an immunologist for a short time before deciding to join the Royal Navy. It was so long ago though, that I tend to keep it to myself in case anyone thinks I might actually remember any of it.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

It’s not very cheerful, but I would probably go for time travel so I could go back to see my dad again. He passed away unexpectedly while I was on a course in Italy and I’ve always wished I could have been there for him.

Would you rather explore space or the ocean?

Space every time. I have always loved the idea and would still go in a heartbeat.

What was the first film you watched at the cinema?

I’m showing my age now. It was the first Star Wars film and it triggered a love of cinema that I still have today. I do think it’s a shame though, that big cinema experiences like Star Wars (back in the day) seem to be a thing of the past.

If you could spend ‘a day in the life’ of someone you admire (past or present), who would it be and why?

If I could go back in time and choose a day, it would be 21st July 1969 and I would be with Neil Armstrong, so I could land and walk on the moon with him.

What’s the best advice you can give to someone just starting out their aviation career?

To be honest, unless you have £150,000 to spend to get the hours and licences required to fly helicopters commercially, join the military. But I am biased because I’ve had the best time getting to this point!