What does it take to stay calm and make the right call when lives are on the line?

When you fly an air ambulance, there's no room for hesitation. In this activity you'll hear from one of only 36 female helicopter pilots in the UK about what it takes to make life-or-death decisions under pressure.

This activity is designed to be flexible and can be used as follows:

  • During a lesson - 30 minutes. Students work in pairs and then share their reflections with the rest of the class.
  • During tutor time - 20 minutes. Students watch the video independently and then discuss one of the topics together.
  • As homework - Students watch the video on their own and complete the reflection at their own pace.

This activity supports the following frameworks:

  • Gatsby Benchmark 5
  • PSHE Association KS3 codes L4, L12
  • PSHE Association KS4 codes L3

1. Before you start

Take a moment to think about the following question:

  • Have you ever been in a situation where you had to make a quick decision and it really mattered - in a game, an emergency, or under pressure? What did that feel like?

If you're working with a partner or team, share and compare your thoughts before continuing.

2. Watch the video

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Henrietta Davies - Helicopter Pilot

Henrietta is a captain on an air ambulance based in Norfolk. She works 12-hour shifts with a crew of two pilots, a doctor, and a paramedic. When the red phone rings, they're in the air within two to three minutes - flying to reach people on the worst days of their lives, often replanning on the move and sometimes switching to night vision goggles mid-shift.

While watching the video, listen for the following:

  • What does Henrietta say is the hardest part of her job - and why?
  • How does the crew work together, and why does Henrietta say trust is so important?

3. Reflect and discuss

First, add a personal reflection based on the following:

  • What is one thing about Henrietta's working day that stood out to you most?

Next, think about the following and discuss with your partner or group:

  • Henrietta says plans change constantly - "everything you think you've just thought up a plan and then something else happens." What skills do you think someone needs to stay calm and make good decisions when things keep changing around them?
  • Henrietta says flying is antisocial - no weekends, no holidays, no Christmas. She has three small children and says "some days are hard because I can't be in two places at once." Would you be willing to make those trade-offs for a job you found meaningful? Where would you draw the line?
  • Henrietta is one of only 36 female helicopter pilots in the UK out of about 1,400. Her advice is "you don't need to be the same as everybody else." What do you think makes it harder for some people to go for jobs where they don't see many people like them? What would help?