The Johannesburg Hospital mobile anaesthesia service

At a teaching hospital such as the Johannesburg Hospital with an air ambulance service, the need may arise for the administration of an anaesthetic outside the hospital. The occurrence of just such an event prompted the authors to review the literature regarding anaesthesia in adverse circumstances and to assemble, in a portable container, the equipment and drugs considered necessary to cope with the situation. In addition, the responsible anaesthetic personnel are receiving training in the use of the equipment and techniques required.