Aeromedical Evacuation Flashcards
Alberta uses two types of air transport
Rotary wing (Helicopter)
Fixed plane (Planes)
Various locations provide these services
Alberta Saskatchewan BC Territories Montana
Fixed wing bases
Edmonton - 1 plane Lac La Biche - 1 plane Fort Mac - 1 plane Grande Prairie - 1 plane Peace river - 2 planes Calgary - 1 plane Medicine hat - 1 plane High level/Fort Vermillion - 2 planes Slave Lake - 1 plane
STARS
Edmonton - 1 helicopter
Calgary - 1 helicopter
Grande Prairie - 1 helicopter
2 spare Helicopters
When to use Aeromedical Transport
Long response times - means long transport times
Prolonged extrication
Any patient that requires immediate advanced life support or hospital interventions
Can be cancelled at any time if not required
Types of Aircraft STARS
Eurocopter BK117 B2-D
Augusta Westland 139 (AW139)
Types of aircraft
Beech King Air 100 or 200 Lear jets Many smaller helicopters Military aircraft Civilian jetliners
Hazards of aircraft
Rotating blades and props be deadly
Very noisy
Rotorwash can known you down, or throw small objects around
Safety tips
Never approach an aircraft without the pilot’s acknowledgement
The pilot must be able to see you
Approach from the front or side, NEVER the rear
If on a slope, approach from downhill side
Wear goggles, wear chinstraps, no loose clothing or baseball caps
Danger zone
Behind helicopter or plane
Caution zone
Front and sides
Airport safety
Get appropriate clearance before driving on to the airport
Stay on taxiways (designated by letters)
Stay off runways (designated by numbers)
Wait for the aircraft to stop completely and for the engines to shut off
Wait for the crew to signal you to approach
Landing Zones
Give exact location (GPS position, nearest intersection)
Safe approach and safe departure route (into wind)
Flat, firm and clear of debris
Minimum size 36m x 36m
Hazards include?
Power lines
Trees
Building
How to mark around LZ?
Obstructions w. flares, ambulance lights, etc..
Corners and midpoints of LZ w/ flares
Do not use items that can be blown away as the helicopter lands
Hand signals?
Both arms straight up - Stand upwind and centered on LZ so pilot can see you
Waving both arms above head - This is the emergency “Wave Off” signal It means DO NOT LAND
Where to approach Helicopter?
10 and 2
Approaching the Helicopter
Follow crews instructions (Safety pilot) - they make last call
STARS crew will need 2-3 helpers to load Pt.
Lower IV poles or obstructions
Keep head down
Tie down loose articles
Exit to the front
Factors affecting the patient
Humidity - decreases w/ altitude
O2 - Partial pressure decreases w/ altitude
Shakes/Vibrations
Temperature - decreases w/ altitude
Pressure / Boyle’s law
Atmosphere - turbulence
Noise - Ear protection
Space - limited in aircraft
Considerations
Hypoxia that cannot be corrected w/ O2
Anemias from causes w/ low hemoglobin
Adbo, thoracic, cranial surgery within last 72 hours
Decompression sickness
Any degree pneumothorax when chest tube not in place
Uncontrolled cardiac dysrhythmias related to ischemic chest pain
Pen head injuries that may involve trapped air in skull
Cardiac arrest
IV’s started where for STARS
Left arm
IV’s started where for rotary
Right arm
