Helicopter Operations

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Helicopter Operations

• Developed as part of the National Emergency
  Services Curriculum Project

2
Reasons to transport survivors via helicopter

• Would the amount of time needed to transport a
  patient by ground transportation to an
  appropriate facility pose a threat to the
  patient's survival and recovery?
• Would weather, road conditions, or other factors
  affecting the use of ground transportation
  seriously delay the patient's access to advanced
  life support care?
• Does the available rescue have the clinical
  skills or equipment needed to care for the
  patient during transport?

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Aggravating Factors

• Patients with advanced medical trauma issues may
  need to be transported via helicopter. The
  following aggravating factors are indicators
• Head injuries or comatose
• A systolic blood pressure lt90
• A respiratory rate lt10 or gt35
• A pulse rate lt60 or gt120
• A prolonged extrication

4
Aggravating Factors Continued

• Paralysis of extremities or spinal cord injuries
• Associated fatalities
• A sprung or crushed pelvis
• Severe oral or facial injuries
• A need for Advanced Life Support
• An inability to maintain a patient airway
• Qualified personnel make the decision to use a
  helicopter

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Information needed when requesting a helicopter

• Team Name, organization, and team information
• Exact location of the accident, Latitude and
  Longitude
• Accident location in relation to towns or major
  roads, as well as recent major hazards possibly
  caused by the accident
• Nature of Accident
• Number and relative ages of patients

6
Info. needed when requesting a helicopter
Continued

• Types of injuries of patients to be transported
• Whether patients are trapped or were involved in
  a prolonged extrication
• Frequency and callsigns to communicate with
  ground crews from the helicopter, along with PL
  tones if any

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Landing Site Requirements

• Should measure at least 60 feet square,
  preferably larger around 100 feet square
• Obstructions surrounding the site may necessitate
  it to be larger
• Remember that even though a helicopter may be
  able to land along a vertical plane in most
  situations, most helicopter pilots will want to
  have an approach and takeoff area

8
Landing Site Requirements Continued

• Consider the type of ground
• Don't want an extremely sloped or rocky field
• Notify pilot of any obstructions such as tall
  grass, rocks, or loose dirt. The pilots point of
  view causes him not to be able to see them until
  right on top of them
• Consider possible alternative sites if the
  accident site or first landing site chosen is
  possibly unfeasible

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Landing Site Requirements Continued
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Landing Site Requirements Continued
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Marking the Landing Site

• Mark the corners with secure items so that
  problems don't occur in the rotor wash
• Many companies make markers specifically for this
  option
• Smoke isnt recommended in this situation because
  most first responders in an overzealous mode will
  make the site invisible rather than just an edge

12
Marking the Landing Site Continued

• At night, the landing area should be illuminated,
  but take caution not to blind the pilot on
  landing and takeoff
• Have vehicles aim lights on low beams into the
  site
• The helicopter pilot will most likely contact the
  ground crew to also turn these off so that the
  pilot and crew isnt blinded on the approach
• All helicopters have some sort of landing light

13
Marking the Landing Site Continued

• Clear the site of all debris that might get
  sucked up in the rotor wash
• Only put signal markers in the center of the
  landing area on request of the helicopter pilot.

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Marking the Landing Site Continued
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Marking the Landing Site Continued
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Approaching the Helicopter

• Stay out of the landing site unless accompanied
  by a member of the aircrew or directed by an
  aircrew member.
• Always approach the helicopter from the front of
  the aircraft because of helicopter blind spots
  and danger areas.
• Always approach the helicopter in a crouched
  position with IVs or long objects carried low or
  parallel to the ground

17
Approaching the Helicopter Continued

• When approaching on a slope, approach from
  downhill, since the rotor will be closer on the
  uphill side normally, if unsure wait for an
  escort from the flight crew.
• Never walk around in the tail rotor area.

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Helicopter Approach Area
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Helicopter Approach Area Continued
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General Helicopter Guidelines

• DO NOT SMOKE in the landing area.
• No vehicles are allowed within the landing site
• Transferring patient(s) from the team litter to
  the helicopter litter is done outside of the
  landing area
• Only the flight crew will open and close the
  doors or compartments on the helicopter
• All unauthorized personnel should stay out of the
  landing area.

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Helicopter Operations Tasks

• Ground Team Leader
• O-1002 Establish a Helicopter Landing Zone