Helicopter Safety for Field Operations

A different approach

Russell

Wise

770-366-0282

www.airmethods.com

rwise@airmethods.com

The History of Helicopters

Arriel

Cutaway of a Turbomeca Arriel

Type Turboshaft

National origin France

Manufacturer Turbomeca

First run 1974

Major applicationsAgusta A109HH-65C DolphinSikorsky S-76

The Turbomeca Arriel is a highly-successful series of French turboshaft engines that first ran in 1974.1 Weighing 109 kg (240 lb), the Arriel 1 has a power output of 520 kW (700 hp). As of 2007, nearly 7,000 examples had been produced.

Data from:2

Helicopter applications

Mount Everest

HEMS

Physics of Flight with Anti Torque Tail Rotor

Physics of Flight without Tail Rotor

Air Methods Who we are:

Air Methods Who we are:

• Founded in 1980 Roy Morgan

• First hospital program St. Mary’s, Grand Junction, Colorado.

• Financial NASDAQ Ticker: AIRM

• Employees 4,000+ Headquarters - Englewood, Colorado.

Fortifying Our Market Presence

• 1997 - Mercy Air Service• 2000 - ARCH• 2002 - Rocky Mountain Holdings• 2007 - CJ Systems• 2009 – Omni Flight North Georgia and Atlanta

(Rescue Air 1, Life-Net, and Emory Flight)• 2011 – Omni Flight Nation wide

History

• Began operations in June 1998 as Phoenix AirCare LLC with one helicopter strategically located in Griffin.

• Have steadily progressed to locations in Griffin, Gainesville, Newnan, Kennesaw, Conyers Jasper, Augusta and Ft. Benning, Springfield and Vidalia.

• Backed by a strong commitment from the largest Aero-medical provider in the world, AirMethods Inc.

Air Methods who we are:

Only air medical service provider with a national presence under two service delivery models

HBSCBS

Offer all key core competencies in-house:Aviation operations

Aviation completionsAviation innovations

Billing and collections Dispatch and communications

Field maintenanceMedical staffing and training

Hospital-Based Flight Programs

Community-Based Flight Programs

Combined Flight Services

HEMS First Mission, Trauma

The “Golden Hour”

concept provides that patients seen by a trauma

surgeon in a trauma center within that first

hour of injury have higher survivability and a better

quality of life.

Where we transport patients to

• Certified Stroke Centers?

• Cardiac Centers?

• Interventional Cardiac Centers?

• Pediatric Specialty Centers

• Burn Centers?

Scene Call

EMS / Fire Determines The Landing Zone

CardiacTraumaStroke

Medical EmergencyAdult and Pediatric

ADVANTAGES

• Speed (“Time is human tissue”) Death and disability can be avoided if the right care can be provided quickly enough.

• Access Minimize the time out of hospital, point to point capable, avoid traffic delays.

• Higher level care The additional skills and equipment of a tertiary hospital; more advanced drugs, RN and Paramedic critical care capabilities.

Crew Capabilities

• Maintain a critical care environment throughout transport.

• Provide medications and equipment not commonly carried on ground units. Vaso-active medications Analgesics Sedatives/Paralytics (RSI) Advanced Procedures and Equipment

Medical Equipment

Propaq

EKG BP Pulse Oximetry

ETCO2

Monitoring of two invasive lines ICP

Arterial Lines Swan/Ganz

Cardiac Monitor/Defibrillator

LTV 1200 Transport Vent with adult / pediatric capabilities

C Pap Bi PapIVAC Med-system III med pumps.

(six line capable)

R.S.I. & Surgical Airway capable. PYNG and EZ I.O. device

Weather and Visibility

Visibility• At 1000 feet on a clear day you can see

approximately 200 square miles

Federal Aviation Regulations

• Part 91

• Part 135

• TFR

• Class B Air Space

Request• Crew is not given patient type info prior

to go decision.• P.I.C. and the crew will either accept or

decline the flight based on scene location and weather on the initial call, we would never want anyone to “push the envelope” on weather knowing a child is in need of our help.

• Once the flight is accepted then further information follows, such as age, weight or other variables of condition.

Activating The System

When requesting air transport the following info should be given to the

Comm Center:Name of calling party, agency,

and call back number.Location of incident.

County, City, Street and Cross-Street and GPS

coordinates as available. This is not mandatory information

to start the process.

Multiple aircraft inbound to the scene

Ground contact and frequencyPatient information

Age (Adult or Pediatric)Approximate weight

Flight Com and the 911 Center

• Same type system• Specialized Team Approach• Aviation Understanding (They are not

dispatchers……..only the Pilot In Charge (P.I.C.) can “dispatch” a flight F.A.A. Rules

• Com Specs handle the call and route to the closest “station” as you would say or Aircraft Base

Weather Restrictions

“Go Flight / Air Alert” based on

1. Weather minimums at our base

2. Weather minimums at your scene

3. Weather minimums at the receiving hospital

4. Weather minimums between each point

Call us ASAP so the pilot on duty can assure that all

areas in the flight path are safe to fly!

Commitment to Safety

Investments in Safety Technologies• Night Vision Goggles (NVG)• Helicopter Terrain Avoidance

Systems (HTAWS)• Garmin GPS• XM Satellite Weather• Satellite Tracking • Reinvestment of revenues into

safety

Pilots

Our pilots average more than 20 years of flying

experience. All Pilots working on the

Air Methods Georgia team have the following:

A minimum of 3000 helicopter flight hours. Commercial instrument

rating. A minimum of 500 hours

night flying. 1000 hours of turbine

time.

Alert Status

Alert / Standby

Request awaiting confirmation Crew prepares for potential flight

Air Stand By’s (Over 20 miles/10 minutes) or as requested by calling agency

Adult, Pediatric

Male, Female If known, current condition

Radio communicationGround contact inbound

Flight Crew Radio Information

Landing Zone Information / HazardsPt. update – if possible

Any Other Pertinent Changes

Estimated Time En-route

Lift off time = 5 minutes day , and 7 minutes at night

Distance from Helicopter Location to Incident Scene = X miles

X miles divided by 2 = Flight Time in minutes

Lift time + Flight time = ETEEx. (24 miles) (24 / 2) + 7 = 19 min Weather can affect Lift Off Times

GPS - Global Positioning System

Computer aided Flight Following systems is revolutionary for Air Medical organizations. Dispatch can maintain contact with the flight crew at all times, even on the ground. This reduces errors inherent in voice-based radio communications and enhances safety.

ROTOR GEAR

Type: AS 350 B2 A-STAR

Speed: 120+ Knots (140+ MPH)

Cruise Distance: 300 miles

Capability: One patient

Weight of patient dependant to location of LZ and fuel load.

BK 117

• BK117

• Cruise - 135 Knots or 155 MPH

• Range 300 Miles• Capable of 2

patients or 1 500 pound patient

When you consider using a helicopter, ask yourself….

• Do I have a good landing zone, a designated landing zone coordinator and safety officer?

• Do you have adequate crowd control police or fire?

• Do we have good communications with the helicopter crew?

Helicopter Shopping

Why we do it and what is the cost

Marking the Landing Zone

• Good communications!• Emergency lights are helpful (day and

night).• Strobes and/or dimmed headlights at

night.• Consider parking Emergency vehicle

under any nearby obstructions.

Choosing a Landing Zone (LZ)

• Try to select an LZ that is adjacent to the scene to avoid the need for ground transport that could prolong a patient’s pre-hospital time. (However, when necessary, a remote LZ is 100% appropriate.)

• Select a landing zone that will allow for an angled approach from at least two directions. This approach and departure path should be clear of towers, poles, wires, trees, signs, and other obstructions

Hazards in or near the LZ

• Wires – Electrical horizontal• Wires – Guy wires vertical• Unlit Towers• Dust• Smoke• Chemical Exposure• Crowd Control

Landing Zone• Select a LZ that is as level and firm

as possible.

• Parking lots, roads, sport fields, and other locations are most desirable, free of debris

• The size of the landing zone during the day must be at least 60’ square. The size of the landing zone during the night should be 100’ X 100’.

• Keep pedestrians and vehicles away from the landing zone.

The pilot has the final say on the selection of the LZ. And the pilot may divert.

LZ Minimums

Dark or decreasing light operations LZ 100 ft x 100 ft

Night Vision Preservation

• Night vision is affected by white light never point lights at the aircraft.

• Studies show a 2-3 hour exposure during the day can increase the initial phase of dark adaptation by 10 minutes.

The Landing Zone Officer

• Designate a landing officer ( Ground Contact ) to communicate with the helicopter crew as soon as the helicopter makes initial contact.

• Notify the emergency dispatch center of the frequency you intend to communicate .

• Provide the helicopter crew with a description of: The landing zone. Include the size of the landing zone, how it is marked, a

list of any nearby obstructions. Any other air traffic in the area. Patient report is actually a disruption to aircraft on approach.

• Notify the helicopter crew when you have them in sight. (Arms straight up overhead, with back to wind.) Immediately notify the crew if any last minute hazards are detected or if an unsafe condition develops. (Crossed arms back and forth overhead to alert an abort)

• Please use plain language instead of “10 codes.” Affirmative or Negative is the preferred response to a yes or no question.

Highway Landing Zones

• When selecting the LZ on any Highway, select the site

that has the best approach and departure route.

• Keep in mind Wires, Bridges, Adjacent Buildings etc.

• With a divided highway, use best judgment when deciding to designate LZ on same side vs. opposite direction of travel lanes.

• Stopping “ALL” traffic may be the best option when dealing with the distractions of a Air Medical Helicopter landing on your accident scene. “Rubber Neckers” may create a much more hazardous situation than than what you are already dealing with. (Avoiding Secondary Crashes)

Land on the Road ?

Never assume…

Land in front of the truck…….

Which Truck?

THE MOST APPROPRIATE COMMUNICATION MAY BE….

AIR LIFE Helicopter this is Hwy 316 Command

Hwy 316 Command this is Air Life 6 – Go Ahead

AIR LIFE 6 – I have you in sight. Be on guard for News Helicopters in the area. We’re at “your” 3:00, and would like you to land at the North end Of the Accident scene, South of the RED Fire truck that is blocking the Roadway.

Hwy 316 Command - I do have you in sight sir. I understand The North end of the accident scene south of the RED Fire Truck. We’ll Be on the ground in two minutes.

Be Ready for ….AIR LIFE Helicopter this is Hwy 316 Command

Hwy 316 Command this is Air Life 6 – Go Ahead

AIR LIFE 6 – I have you in sight. We’re at “your” 3:00, and would like you to land at the North end Of the Accident scene, South of the RED Fire truck that is blocking the Roadway.

Hwy 316 Command - I do have you in sight sir. I see some high tension electrical wires in my approach path. Please have Law enforcement block the South Bound traffic, and secure a Landing zone there. I’ll go around. Advise when the LZ is secure.

Ground Personnel Safety

It gets dusty when a helicopter lands.

Communicating with the Aircraft

• When directing the Helicopter to your

location use the clock method based on the

NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT

• Never base the clock designation on your position

12:00

3:009:00

6:00

Safe Approach Areas

• Approach aircraft only

when directed to do so by the crew.

• Secure any loose items such as hats,

stretchers and linens.

• Enter and leave rotor disk area as

group at crew direction

• If you have a helmet, secure the chin strap. No other hats should be worn, and nothing loose on your body.

• Cover up, head to toe. Wear full eye protection and gloves.

• Do not approach the helicopter until asked to do so by a crewmember.

• Always walk, never run, around a helicopter. If the landing zone is uneven, never approach or depart from the uphill side. Always use the downhill side where you are in the pilot's view.

• Do not touch anything on the helicopter unless directed to do so by a crew member.

• Remain clear of the tail rotor and main rotor at all times.

• At night. Do not flash any bright lights at the aircraft.

Headlights on low beam, away from the LZ.

Overall Safety

Helicopter Loading

There is nothing more that can be said about a Tail Rotor Strike other than it is a bad thing. Against wires, it can bring the aircraft down. But most of all…

Will it just leave a mark or will it kill you?

Helicopter Loading• Only approach the

helicopter, from the front, when asked to do so by the pilot or crewmember

• Do not permit anyone to approach the aircraft while rotors turn without the flight crew. If possible, designate a person to “Guard the tail rotor.”

STAY CLEAR

STAY CLEAR

Area

Danger

Lift-Off and Departure

• The LZ coordinator ( Ground Contact ) will notify the pilot when the landing zone is clear of all ground personnel.

• Again check for other air traffic in the area and notify the helicopter the area is clear.

• Maintain all protective devices against flying debris.

• Notify your dispatch that the helicopter has lifted off and if possible their destination.

• If at all possible, try to maintain a secure landing zone with all personnel and emergency equipment for a couple of minutes after the helicopter departs. If an in-flight emergency develops, this will allow the pilot to return safely to a secure landing zone.

Lift- Off and Departure

Lift- Off and Departure

Fire Ground Operations

We are not here to write your Departments Policy. We are here to share what we have learned and discovered, and discuss ways in which we may improve what is accepted as “Best Practice.”

#1 RuleDo not allow your crew and equipment to become a casualty.

#2 Rule

If we are not in it and it is on fire protect property.

Fire Ground Operations

Fire Ground Operations

Fire Ground Operations

Air Methods Bases in Georgia

• AirLife 1 Griffin• AirLife 2 Gainesville• AirLife 3 Jasper• AirLife 4 Newnan• AirLife 5 Kennesaw • AirLife 6 Conyers• LifeStar 1 Springfield• LifeStar 2 Vidalia• LifeNet Augusta

Business Managers for Georgia

Russell Wise

rwise@airmethods.com

Jeff Wilson

jwilson@airmethods.com

Russell McDaniel

rmcdaniel@airmethods.com

Chad Black

cblack@airmethods.com

David Herrin

david.herrin@airmethods.com

is a promise

Air Methods & Air Life Georgia are obligated to provide your

patients and your public safety officers the safest scene and the most experienced transport

environment available.

We are dedicated to that purpose!

CEU Numbers

GFSTC Approval # 1749-1007-01

EMS CEU# 10-2010-CE-011