The whole point of this, at least from my perspective is to "practice" knowing that you have a hospital, emt's etc...minutes away with the current infrastructures in place to help.
When and if all of that birth machinery is gone, or incapable of helping for whatever reason, it will probably be a husband attended or solo birth anyway.
I know that the "practicing" we have done these past 12 years that I have actively prepared for and then accomplished two unassisted births have greatly upped my confidence in my ability to produce a healthy child without any professional help.
Jenny
I don’t even think the hospital has to be in close proximity if there is someone like a midwife, nurse, et al.
If a mother needs to be cut (even vaginally) or a cord is wrapped, or baby is feet first...someone with some knowledge needs to be there to assist.