Aeromedical Operations

Why Call The Helicopter? Access to interventions, equipment not available from ground unit. (Be sure this is true before calling for this reason.) Access to remote areas Rapid patient transport. Think of it as an ambulance that goes 200 mph in a straight line.

Why Call The Helicopter? Trauma Score <12 Glasgow Score<10 Penetrating trauma to head or torso Injuries producing paralysis, lateralizing signs Amputations, except digits >2 Long bone fractures Crush injury to head or torso Burns of face, feet, hands, perineum Respiratory burns Electrical or chemical burns Patient <12 or >55 Near drownings

Why Call The Helicopter? Adults with: Systolic BP <90 Respiratory rate <10 or >35 Heart rate <60 or >120 Unresponsive to verbal stimuli

Why Call The Helicopter? Mechanism of Injury Unbelted vehicle rollover Vehicle vs. Pedestrian >20mph Falls >10ft Motorcycle ejection >20mph Multiple victims

Why Call The Helicopter? Difficult Access Wilderness rescue Difficult road conditions, weather, traffic Time/Distance Factors Trauma center >15 minutes Extrication time >20 minutes Ground transport time >Air transport time Ground transport would remove local coverage

Packaging/Transport Considerations Backboard size Traction splints ET tube cuffs MAST IV bag pressure infusers Auscultation of chest sounds

Landing Zone Flat area clear of obstructions Nighttime: 100 feet x 100 feet At least 50 yards from rescue scene to minimize rotor wash effects Remove loose debris; Wet down area with water fog to minimize dust

Landing Zone On divided highways, stop all traffic in both directions Warn crew of locations of power lines, poles, antennas, trees Mark each corner of LZ; put a 5th device on the upwind side NEVER point any kind of light at a helicopter on approach at night

Landing Zone Move bystanders back at least 200 feet Keep emergency personnel 100 feet away during landing No smoking within 50 feet of aircraft

Communications with Crew 12 6 3 9 Describe your location in terms of the ship’s location, not yours For example: “Medivac 1, we have you in sight. We are at your 10 o’clock position.”

Operations Near Helicopters Secure all loose items, including hats and stretcher sheets Never approach until pilot signals you to Approach from front, keeping pilot in sight Approach from downhill if ship is on incline NEVER cross behind or underneath the ship

Operations Near Helicopters Crouch when approaching, leaving ship NEVER attempt to open a door or operate other equipment on the ship Follow ALL crew instructions exactly

Operations Near Helicopters By federal law, the pilot has absolute command over the ship He has final authority to determine whether or not to attempt a mission or a maneuver Highest priority always is given to the safety of the ship and its crew