OBJECTIVES

Activation Guidelines

Communications

Weather

Landing Zone

Air Air Medical Medical Flight Flight CrewCrew

Based at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas

Highly Trained Flight CrewPilotRegistered NurseEMT Paramedic

Rotorcraft – Bell 407

Length (rotor turning)…...41.8 ftLength (rotor turning)…...41.8 ft

Width (rotor turning)…..…35 ftWidth (rotor turning)…..…35 ft

Max Cruise Speed…………160 mphMax Cruise Speed…………160 mph

Maximum Range……………350 Maximum Range……………350 milesmiles

Length (rotor turning)…...41.8 ftLength (rotor turning)…...41.8 ft

Width (rotor turning)…..…35 ftWidth (rotor turning)…..…35 ft

Max Cruise Speed…………160 mphMax Cruise Speed…………160 mph

Maximum Range……………350 Maximum Range……………350 milesmiles

RESPONSE TIMERESPONSE TIMEAUTO-LAUNCH

In Air In Less Than 5 Minutes From Dispatch

Patient Is Definitely In Need Of Air Transport

Ground Crew May Cancel Flight At Any Time If Patient Is Not In Need Of Air Transport

Service Area 150 Miles

COSTCOST

$ Please Inform Com. Center If Helicopter Is Not Needed, ASAP

$ Requesting Party Will Never Be Charged for Flight or Requesting Helicopter

$ Medical Necessity Is Key

$ Please Inform Com. Center If Helicopter Is Not Needed, ASAP

$ Requesting Party Will Never Be Charged for Flight or Requesting Helicopter

$ Medical Necessity Is Key

$ Lean On Side of “Just in Case” Rather Than “Wait To Be Sure”

$ Patient Care is Priority

$ Carestar Will Never Make Payment Arrangements or Ask for Proof of Insurance Before Accepting Patient

$ Lean On Side of “Just in Case” Rather Than “Wait To Be Sure”

$ Patient Care is Priority

$ Carestar Will Never Make Payment Arrangements or Ask for Proof of Insurance Before Accepting Patient

Activation & Landing Zone Guidelines

ACTIVATION CRITERIATrauma relating to oil field accidents

– Severe Head Injuries

– Chest Injuries

– Major Extremity Injuries and Fractures

– Falls from over 20ft

– Burns (Thermal, Electrical, Chemical)

– All Other Medical Conditions (Heart Attack, Stroke, or Diabetic Emergencies)

ACTIVATIONACTIVATION

Scene TraumaScene Trauma

– Situational factorsSituational factors• Mass Casualty IncidentsMass Casualty Incidents• Rural or Isolated AreasRural or Isolated Areas• Limited Ground Ambulance Access or EgressLimited Ground Ambulance Access or Egress• Limited Access to Medical CareLimited Access to Medical Care• Scenes Involving Long Extrication Times Scenes Involving Long Extrication Times

Taking Time Away From The Golden HourTaking Time Away From The Golden Hour

CONTRAINDICATIONS• Mission

– To Provide Safe and Rapid Transport of Critically Ill or Injured Patients to the Most Appropriate Facility

• Contraindicated Transports– Traumatic Arrest Prior to the Arrival of Carestar

– Recurrent Cardiac Arrest ALS Support Transport Post-Resuscitation

– HAZMAT Patients

1-877-730-0009

COMMUNICATIONS

Initial Information Who, What, When and Where

Has EMS and Law Enforcement Been Contacted? Specific Location of Scene or Patient How Many Patients Do You Have? How Dispatch / Flight Crew Contact personnel at scene?

GPS Coordinates Helpful - Use Degrees and Minutes Should Always Be Used in Conjunction with Other Directions

Provides Flight Crew Communications with LZ Coordinator Minimize Radio Traffic Must Have Clear and Concise Directions Communication Priorities (Be Specific)

Scene Location Landing Zone Description Landing Zone Hazards Patient Information

Dispatch Information

WEATHER CONDITIONS Always CallAlways Call

Pilots Responsibility to Make Final Pilots Responsibility to Make Final

DecisionDecision

Do Not Assume AnythingDo Not Assume Anything

Storms Can Be LocalizedStorms Can Be Localized

Weather MinimumsWeather Minimums

Vary depending on location, Vary depending on location,

terrain, etc.terrain, etc.

Ceiling and visibilityCeiling and visibility

WEATHER CANCELATIONS

Rendezvous Is An Option

If Forced to Abort Mission for Weather You Will Always be Notified Immediately by Dispatch

Night Night ConsiderationsConsiderations

If EMS On Scene Scene Strobes Visible for MilesScene Strobes Visible for Miles

– Easier for Ground Units to See Aircraft ComingEasier for Ground Units to See Aircraft Coming

Please - No Lights Shining Toward Cockpit Small Amount of Light Dissipates Across Small Amount of Light Dissipates Across

Large Area of WindshieldLarge Area of Windshield– Be sure to communicate every hazard in area Be sure to communicate every hazard in area

even if you think the crew saw themeven if you think the crew saw them

LANDING ZONE• 100 x 100’ At Nighttime Hours

• 80 x 80’ During Daylight Hours

• Slope <10°

• Approach / Depart INTO Wind

• Treat LZ (Helicopter) as “HAZMAT”

– Scene Should Be UPWIND of LZ

– LZ Should Be DOWNWIND of Scene/Patient Location to Prevent Blowing Debris on Scene

LANDING ZONE LANDING ZONE SURFACESURFACE

• GrassGrass• ConcreteConcrete• GravelGravel• PavementPavement• Dusty groundDusty ground

– Recommended To Wet, Recommended To Wet,

If PossibleIf Possible

• GrassGrass• ConcreteConcrete• GravelGravel• PavementPavement• Dusty groundDusty ground

– Recommended To Wet, Recommended To Wet,

If PossibleIf Possible

LANDING ZONE LANDING ZONE HAZARDSHAZARDS

LANDING ZONE LANDING ZONE HAZARDSHAZARDS

Wires Invisible From the AirInvisible From the Air Advise Dispatch / Flight Crew Advise Dispatch / Flight Crew

of Locationof Location Shine Spotlights on PolesShine Spotlights on Poles Park Vehicles Underneath,Park Vehicles Underneath,

if possibleif possible

Wires Invisible From the AirInvisible From the Air Advise Dispatch / Flight Crew Advise Dispatch / Flight Crew

of Locationof Location Shine Spotlights on PolesShine Spotlights on Poles Park Vehicles Underneath,Park Vehicles Underneath,

if possibleif possible

Landing Zone Landing Zone PreparationPreparation

Landing Zone Landing Zone PreparationPreparation

Perimeter Security / Safety Team

– ALL ACCESS to LZ Must Be Secure

– All Traffic Needs To Be Blocked With Vehicles, If Possible

– Keep All Bystanders and Personnel At Least 100’ Away From LZ

– Protect The Patient

GROUND OPERATIONSGROUND OPERATIONSLZ Coordinator

At End of LZ In Front of Helicopter At End of LZ In Front of Helicopter Landing SiteLanding Site

Maintains Communication With Both Maintains Communication With Both Scene Personnel and HelicopterScene Personnel and Helicopter

Communicates With Flight Crew, If Communicates With Flight Crew, If PossiblePossible

Provide Scene Safety Around AircraftProvide Scene Safety Around Aircraft

GROUND GROUND OPERATIONSAlways Approach And Depart As A Group

(Follow The Instructions Of The Flight Crew Members)

Stay Within Full View Of The Pilot

Keep In Front Of The Aircraft

Keep Away From The Tail Rotor

Never Go Behind Tail Guard or Vertical

Stabilizer

Controlled Slow, Purposeful Movement

No Running

SUMMARYSUMMARY

Call 1-877-730-0009 To Activate CareStar

Setup LZ While CareStar Is En Route

Call Coordinates To Dispatcher

Radio Description, Cell Phone Number, Winds,

Contact Person Name, And Hazards To

Helicopter, If Possible

CareStar Treats, Packages and Transports

Patient To The Nearest Appropriate Facility