Photo : Frederic GAUDIN/ACO

 

During an accident on the track, it is the race director - in agreement with the head doctor - who decides whether an intervention is warranted (or not) by the emergency vehicles. In all, four RIVs (Rapid Intervention Vehicles) and eight extraction vehicles are dispersed throughout the circuit.

After the two men have given the green light, four vehicles go immediately to the intervention area: an RIV, an ambulance, an anti-fire vehicle and one for extrication. When at the scene of the accident, the head doctor decides whether to keep or to dismiss certain vehicles of which he or she has no need after the first assessments of the state and health of the driver have been made.

If the driver is finally given the all-clear, he returns on his own to his pitbox. If he is injured, he is taken via ambulance to the medical center at the base of the Sport Module on the start-finish straight. Inside are two care rooms as well as a room for resuscitation and treatment for shock. If his condition is too serious, he is transported by private ambulance to the most appropriate treatment center.

The spectator medical center is comprised of six individuals and a manager who handles all communications. At their disposal are six RMVs (Rapid Medical Vehicles) ready to move inside the loop of the circuit. Inside the medical center are four care rooms, a room for treatment for shock, a pharmacy where products are carefully inventoried as well as a drunk holding room. Beds, showers and a resting room are also available for personnel since they remain at the circuit almost the entire week.

Over one year, 4,800 interventions are performed relative to spectators as well as on the track. During the 24 Hours of Le Mans, between 10 and 12 interventions are carried out on the track! Note that all these people are volunteers and that without them safety at the 24 Hours circuit would not exist.

David Bristol / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO