Aeromedical Operations
Temple College
EMS Professions

Why Call The Helicopter?
 Access to interventions not available from ground unit. (Be sure this is true before calling for this reason.)
 Rapid patient transport.
Think of it as an ambulance that goes 180 mph in a straight line.

Landing Zone
 Flat area clear of obstructions
 Daytime: 60 feet x 60 feet
 Nighttime: 100 feet x 100 feet
 At least 50 yards from rescue scene to minimize rotor wash effects
 Remove loose debris; Wet down area with water fog to minimize dust

Landing Zone
 On divided highways, stop all traffic in both directions
 Warn crew of locations of power lines, poles, antennas, trees
 Mark each corner of LZ; put a 5 th device on the upwind side
 NEVER point any kind of light at a helicopter on approach at night

Landing Zone
 Move bystanders back at least 200 feet
 Keep emergency personnel 100 feet away during landing
 No smoking within 50 feet of aircraft

Communications with Crew
12
 Describe your location in terms of the ship’s location, not yours
 For example:
“Medivac 1, we have you in sight. We are at your 10 o’clock position.”
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6
3

Operations Near Helicopters
 Secure all loose items, including hats and stretcher sheets
 Never approach until pilot signals you to
 Approach from front, keeping pilot in sight
 Approach from downhill if ship is on incline
 NEVER cross behind or underneath the ship

Operations Near Helicopters
 Crouch when approaching, leaving ship
 NEVER attempt to open a door or operate other equipment on the ship
 Follow ALL crew instructions exactly

Operations Near Helicopters
 By federal law, the pilot has absolute command over the ship.
 He has final authority to determine whether or not to attempt a mission or a maneuver.
 Highest priority always is given to the safety of the ship and its crew.