Honor Flight Austin

Guardian Orientation

Contents of Training

•Guardian Training Video•General Itinerary of Friday and Saturday•Wheelchair Safety•Bus Transportation / Loading and Unloading•Veteran Care•Do’s and Don’ts•Questions

You Are A Guardian

You are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of one of America’s greatest

treasures -

Our WWII Veterans

Guardian Video

Guardian Training

•Thank you for participating•SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY are paramount•One-to-one ratio—one Guardian for every Veteran•Honor and protect your Veteran at all times•Stay on schedule— be aware of the time•Communicate any problems•Contact Staff member (Dark Blue shirt) if you have any questions

Wheelchair Use•We use wheelchairs for two main reasons:• Speed—We have a lot to see in a short time• Safety—Falls happen while moving

•There will be Veterans who don’t wish to use a wheelchair•Make it a ‘non-issue’; relate to them how easy it will

be to be chauffer-driven; highlight all the ‘good’ things•Remind them of our safety and speed issues, and ask

for their compliance if they object• If it becomes a real issue, bring it to the attention of

a staff member•No matter what, keep the chair with you

Wheelchair Safety•ALWAYS apply wheelchair brakes, every time you

stop •Always help your Veteran in or out of wheelchair•DO NOT allow your Veteran to get up or sit down

unless the wheel brakes are set•Always clear the foot/leg rest when assisting the

Veteran in and out of the wheelchair•Hold all canes, bags, water bottles, or coats when

Veteran is moving in or out of the chair• If ‘catching’ an off balance or falling Veteran, be

aware that grabbing clothes or belts might be safer than grabbing their arms

Wheelchair Safety•NEVER leave your Veteran in wheelchair unattended•Maintain a high sense of awareness•Even small elevation changes (bumps) can topple veterans if you are pushing the chair; if in doubt, turn the chair around and back up over the questionable spot•Watch for soft, uneven ground. Choose the smoothest, most solid path•Wheelchairs are mandatory at the Marine Corps War Memorial

Bus Transportation

•Bus assignments remain the same for both days…make sure you get on the right bus!

•Headcount will taken by a staff member prior to each departure; make sure they have your Veteran’s name

•If Veteran is tired, they are welcome to stay on the bus during stops. However, if they stay, SO DO YOU!

Bus Transportation

•At each stop, Guardians will exit first and begin to stage the wheelchairs

•First 6 Guardians off the bus unload the chairs

•Veterans remain seated until called forward

•100% wheelchair-bound Veterans will be unloaded first (lift at the back of the bus)

Bus Safety

•A staff member will be at the top of the stairs for all loading and unloading operations

•The bus Paramedic will be at the bottom of the stairs for all loading and unloading

•As each Veteran moves to exit, their name will be called out; their Guardian moves with a chair to the base of the stairs

•Set brakes, clear footrests, and prepare to receive your Vet.

Bus Safety

•The Veteran’s hands will be clear of all objects, and will use handrails

•Bring the chair close to the base of the stairs, but not too close; leave the Veteran some room to maneuver

•When Veterans are going up the stairs, keep a hand just behind them to easily counter any loss of balance

Veteran Care•Stay with your Veteran, at ALL TIMES

•If you need to leave your veteran, ensure another Guardian or staff member replaces you

•Know your Veteran’s issues (sight, hearing, balance)

•Be aware of any medication needs

•Encourage hydration / Open the bottles!

•Subsequently, encourage and plan bathroom stops!

Veteran Care•Ask questions; get to know them!•Where they served, in what service, what they did, for how long•Ask about the food during the war, the clothing, the heat or the cold•Get them talking, but understand if there are things they don’t want to discuss•Encourage photographs; offer to take them•Be their eyes and ears•Echo announcements that are made, or make sure your Veteran understood what was said

Veteran Care•Help keep up with their belongings; when leaving buses or airplanes, make a quick sweep for bags, wallets, eyeglass cases, cameras, etc.

•If they drop something, YOU pick it up

•Watch and see if they need assistance while eating

•Continually be on guard for signs of tiredness or any developing medical issues

•Notify a Paramedic or a staff member if you notice a change or think there might be a problem

Do’s and Don’ts• 100% of the time, your focus is on the Veterans

• Answering phone calls, texts, or emails should be delayed until you and the Veteran are on the bus in transit, or until after they have gone to bed for the evening

• At no time do you leave the group or your Veteran to smoke or have an alcoholic beverage

• You are welcome to smoke in designated areas after your veteran goes to sleep—roughly after 10:00 p.m. or before 6:00 a.m.

• Drinking is not encouraged. If you do, drink responsibly and very moderately after all Veterans are asleep

• Do not encourage your Veteran to drink

•We want them and you to stay hydrated with water

Invite Your Friends and Family

It means a lot to the Veterans to have members from the community at the airport to see them

off and welcome them home!

Help give them the reception

they deserve!

Questions?