Chapter 6 Landing Zone Safety Patient Packaging Preparation

Chapter 6 Landing Zone Safety Patient Packaging & Preparation for Air Medical Transport Program 1

Program Objective To introduce you to the environment of a helicopter so that the safety of the patient, ground crew, and flight crew are assured. Rescuers must contact your local helicopter service for specific details on their operations. 2

History of Air Medical Transport n n n 1940 Helicopter invented by Igor Sikorsky 1952 Korea - Military evacuation of wounded 1960’s Vietnam 1970’s Scattered military use in civilian market 1980’s Air medical industry takes flight 3

BK-117 • Speed: 155 mph • Weight: 7, 385 lbs. Range: 275 nm Max Ceiling: 15 K’ 4

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Before the Mission… § § § Safety Brief Weather Check Equipment Check 7

Dispatch Questions § § § § Is the Scene Safe? Mechanism of Injury? How Many Patients? Do I Need More Help? Designate an LZ Coordinator Provide ground contact information Provide radio frequency Minimal medical information needed 8

Helicopter Locations Around Northeast Ohio 9

Aircraft Dispatch n Designate an LZ Coordinator 1. Requesting agency and caller's name 2. Location of incident: (Street address, Town/City, State, cross streets, latitude/longitude coordinates, if available) 3. Unit number of landing zone coordinator 4. Frequency and PL (channel guard) tone 5. Number of patients and medical info. (If available) 6. Requesting agency's telephone number 10

Landing Zone Selection n Scene n Preferred choice n Shortens overall scene time n Allows the patient to get to definitive care faster n Flight crew can be an additional resource at the scene if needed. 11

Landing Zone Guidelines § § At least 100 x 100 ft. Free of debris Marked with cones and/or lights Note hazards (e. g. wires, towers, trees, etc. ) 12

Landing Zone Selection n Pre-designated LZ n Established prior to the accident n Maintained in a database at dispatch center n Includes GPS coordinates, hazards, & description n May be strategically placed around your community. n May assist aircraft in finding the scene 13

Pre-designated LZ § Address: Geneva State Park 6412 Lake Road West Geneva, Ohio 44041 § Coordinates: N 41° 51. 15 W 080° 59. 08 § LZ Description: Large parking lot, south side of road. Creek tributary just West of LZ. Lake Erie is 200 yards north of LZ § Hazards: Wires on South side of road 14

Landing Zone Preparation n n n Verify area is free of debris & note surface conditions Identify hazards LOOK UP! Mark the landing zone Secure the perimeter Select an LZ Coordinator Wait for the aircraft on the selected frequency 15

Landing Zone Visibility Options n n n Cones Flares Chemical Sticks Strobe Lights Emergency Vehicles (Usually the first thing seen) 16

In the aircraft…. n n Flight crew is making ground contact information from dispatch center. Flight crew will attempt radio contact with ground personnel. 17

Landing Zone Briefing n Direct the aircraft to LZ n n Clock method Landmarks See/Hear the aircraft Landing Zone Brief n Advise surface condition – Slope, soft ground, asphalt, snow, high grass, etc. n n n Gravel is a poor LZ surface Perimeter Markings Overhead Hazards (Power lines, light poles) 18

Clock Method 19

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Final Approach n n Aircraft calls “on location” One orbit over the scene Charged hose lines are not necessary Wave off 21

Nighttime Approach n n No white lights directed into LZ Perimeter guard is very important Flashing red and blue lights are OK Night Vision Goggles 22

Snow or Dust n n Surface prep Take cover Prolonged hovering is not abnormal Anticipate losing visual contact with helicopter 23

On the ground…. n n n Perimeter guard Hot off load Patient access Aircraft remains running Keep vehicles >50’ from helicopter 24

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Special Loading Considerations. Check with Pilot n n n COLD loading may be utilized at the flight crew’s discretion. Hot Loading Hoisting Flood light ability or FLIR Flight over bodies of water 27

Stokes Basket fits in some types of aircraft 28

Landing Zone Practice Can you describe the landing zones in these pictures? n Can you spot the hazards? n 29

LZ #1: Ground View 30

LZ #2: Ground View 31

LZ #3: Ground View 32

LZ #4: Ground View 33

LZ #5: Ground View 34

LZ #6: Ground View 35

LZ #6: From the Air 36

LZ # 7: From the Air 37

LZ #8: From the Air 38

LZ #9: Ground View 39