Aeromedical Operations

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Aeromedical Operations
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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.
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Why Call The Helicopter?

• Trauma Score lt12
• Glasgow Scorelt10
• Penetrating trauma to head or torso
• Injuries producing paralysis, lateralizing signs
• Amputations, except digits
• gt2 Long bone fractures

• Crush injury to head or torso
• Burns of face, feet, hands, perineum
• Respiratory burns
• Electrical or chemical burns
• Patient lt12 or gt55
• Near drownings

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Why Call The Helicopter?

• Adults with
• Systolic BP lt90
• Respiratory rate lt10 or gt35
• Heart rate lt60 or gt120
• Unresponsive to verbal stimuli

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Why Call The Helicopter?

• Mechanism of Injury
• Unbelted vehicle rollover
• Vehicle vs. Pedestrian gt20mph
• Falls gt10ft
• Motorcycle ejection gt20mph
• Multiple victims

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Why Call The Helicopter?

• Difficult Access
• Wilderness rescue
• Difficult road conditions, weather, traffic
• Time/Distance Factors
• Trauma center gt15 minutes
• Extrication time gt20 minutes
• Ground transport time gtAir transport time
• Ground transport would remove local coverage

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Packaging/Transport Considerations

• Backboard size
• Traction splints
• ET tube cuffs
• MAST
• IV bag pressure infusers
• Auscultation of chest sounds

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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

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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

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Landing Zone

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

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Communications with Crew

• Describe your location in terms of the ships
  location, not yours
• For example Medivac 1, we have you in sight. We
  are at your 10 oclock position.

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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

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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

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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