Dragon Boat Festival 2023

Event returns summer 2023

From community groups, to businesses and even teams of friends, this event is for everyone who welcomes some fierce-yet-friendly competition, isn't afraid of getting splashed, and would love a great day out at Exeter Quay - all while raising funds for a local life-saving charity. A big welcome to teams old and new!

Entry is now open! Book your boat today

Just pay £300 deposit for your boat on behalf of your team and then get your sponsorship started through the link below.

Team up to help us buy some kit!

When oxygen can't reach a patient's lungs, we need to use a special piece of kit. We're fundraising for a laryngoscope - a tool that's used to help place the tube correctly into the windpipe during endotracheal intubation. Even within a well-lit hospital anaesthetic room, there are challenges in placing the tube in a way which keeps the patient safe. These challenges are much greater in the pre-hospital setting.

What's special about this item?

One way Devon Air Ambulance reduces the impact of these challenges is by using a laryngoscope that is fitted with a miniature camera and monitor screen, called a Video Laryngoscope. This provides a much clearer and larger image of the patient’s airway, particularly when the airway is partially blocked or it is anatomically challenging to secure. It also provides a view of the airway that other members of the clinical team can see on the monitor screen, meaning they can help and support the person placing the tube as a team.

Time to replace!

Our current video laryngoscopes have been in service for six years and although the exposed part that is placed inside the patient's airway is single patient use, the main units have come to the end of their useful life and we now need to replace them. We are looking to replace them with an updated model of the unit that we currently use as they have proven to be extremely safe to use and effective at enabling the correct and quick placement of tubes into patient airways. The updated version also provides additional aspects to help maintain safety.

With two helicopters and two Critical Care Cars, we need to purchase four new units which will ensure that whether we respond to a patient by helicopter or car, our team will always have the same best tool to hand to help save their patient’s life.

Download the Dragonboat Festival pack

Thank you to this year's sponsors South West Water.