Aeromedical Evacuation

Question 1

Alberta uses two types of air transport

Answer 1

Rotary wing (Helicopter)

Fixed plane (Planes)

Question 2

Various locations provide these services

Answer 2

Alberta
Saskatchewan
BC
Territories
Montana

Question 3

Fixed wing bases

Answer 3

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

Question 4

STARS

Answer 4

Edmonton - 1 helicopter
Calgary - 1 helicopter
Grande Prairie - 1 helicopter
2 spare Helicopters

Question 5

When to use Aeromedical Transport

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Types of Aircraft STARS

Answer 6

Eurocopter BK117 B2-D

Augusta Westland 139 (AW139)

Question 7

Types of aircraft

Answer 7

Beech King Air 100 or 200
Lear jets
Many smaller helicopters
Military aircraft
Civilian jetliners

Question 8

Hazards of aircraft

Answer 8

Rotating blades and props be deadly

Very noisy

Rotorwash can known you down, or throw small objects around

Question 9

Safety tips

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Danger zone

Answer 10

Behind helicopter or plane

Question 11

Caution zone

Answer 11

Front and sides

Question 12

Airport safety

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Landing Zones

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Hazards include?

Answer 14

Power lines
Trees
Building

Question 15

How to mark around LZ?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Hand signals?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Where to approach Helicopter?

Answer 17

10 and 2

Question 18

Approaching the Helicopter

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Factors affecting the patient

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Considerations

Answer 20

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

Question 21

IV’s started where for STARS

Answer 21

Left arm

Question 22

IV’s started where for rotary

Answer 22

Right arm