Vanderbilt LifeFlight Ride-Along Safety Briefing

Vanderbilt LifeFlight Vanderbilt LifeFlight Ride-Along Safety BriefingRide-Along Safety Briefing

Welcome to Vanderbilt Welcome to Vanderbilt LifeFlightLifeFlight

Thank you for applying to the Thank you for applying to the Vanderbilt LifeFlight Ride-Along Vanderbilt LifeFlight Ride-Along program. We are excited to have your program. We are excited to have your participation. The LifeFlight Ride-participation. The LifeFlight Ride-Along Program is designed to allow Along Program is designed to allow direct visualization of patient care direct visualization of patient care in the field, as well as, provide in the field, as well as, provide exposure to appropriate flight exposure to appropriate flight criteria, and safe helicopter criteria, and safe helicopter operations. operations.

This presentation will offer an This presentation will offer an overview of the Vanderbilt overview of the Vanderbilt LifeFlight Program, as well as LifeFlight Program, as well as preview essential safety information preview essential safety information for candidates participating in the for candidates participating in the Ride-Along program. After Ride-Along program. After completing this presentation, please completing this presentation, please complete the attached questionnaire complete the attached questionnaire and present it to the flight crew on and present it to the flight crew on duty the day of your Ride-Along. duty the day of your Ride-Along.

VANDERBILT LIFEFLIGHTVANDERBILT LIFEFLIGHTOVERVIEWOVERVIEW

Vanderbilt LifeFlight is the Vanderbilt LifeFlight is the critical care air medical critical care air medical transport service for transport service for Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). VUMC Medical Center (VUMC). VUMC is the 6is the 6thth largest level I largest level I trauma center in the nation, trauma center in the nation, with a service area of with a service area of approximately 65,000 square approximately 65,000 square miles. Vanderbilt Life miles. Vanderbilt Life Flight completes over 2900 Flight completes over 2900 patient transports a yearpatient transports a year. .

VANDERBILT LIFEFLIGHTVANDERBILT LIFEFLIGHTOVERVIEWOVERVIEW

In supporting Vanderbilt University In supporting Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt LifeFlight Medical Center, Vanderbilt LifeFlight utilizes five helicopters, a KA-200 utilizes five helicopters, a KA-200 fixed wing aircraft, and a Lear jet. fixed wing aircraft, and a Lear jet. Our aircraft are strategically placed in Our aircraft are strategically placed in Nashville, Lebanon, Tullahoma, Nashville, Lebanon, Tullahoma, Clarksville, and Mount Pleasant. This Clarksville, and Mount Pleasant. This placement allows rapid access to placement allows rapid access to definitive care for all of middle definitive care for all of middle Tennessee, southern Kentucky, and Tennessee, southern Kentucky, and northern Alabama.northern Alabama.

Types of Vanderbilt Types of Vanderbilt AircraftAircraft

Vanderbilt LifeFlight Base Vanderbilt LifeFlight Base Locations and Service AreaLocations and Service Area

Vanderbilt LifeFlight Vanderbilt LifeFlight OverviewOverview

As illustrated on the previous As illustrated on the previous slide, LifeFlight helicopters serve slide, LifeFlight helicopters serve the area within the 130 mile radius the area within the 130 mile radius around Nashville. The addition of around Nashville. The addition of our fixed wing aircraft allows us to our fixed wing aircraft allows us to now conduct international patient now conduct international patient transports. Vanderbilt LifeFlight transports. Vanderbilt LifeFlight has completed patient transports to has completed patient transports to locations as far away as Cairo, locations as far away as Cairo, Egypt and Mexico City, Mexico.Egypt and Mexico City, Mexico.

Vanderbilt LifeFlight Vanderbilt LifeFlight OverviewOverview

Vanderbilt LifeFlight mission goals:Vanderbilt LifeFlight mission goals: Safety Safety Provide the highest quality patient careProvide the highest quality patient care Community Education/OutreachCommunity Education/Outreach

The LifeFlight Commitment to The LifeFlight Commitment to SafetySafety

The number one focus of Vanderbilt The number one focus of Vanderbilt LifeFlight is safety. Our safety LifeFlight is safety. Our safety highlights include:highlights include:

Over 25,000 accident free patient Over 25,000 accident free patient transports completed since the program’s transports completed since the program’s inception in 1984.inception in 1984.

Vanderbilt LifeFlight operates solely in Vanderbilt LifeFlight operates solely in dual engine aircraftdual engine aircraft

Our pilots average over 5,000 hours of Our pilots average over 5,000 hours of flight experienceflight experience

The first CAMTS (Commission of Air Medical The first CAMTS (Commission of Air Medical Transport Services) accredited air medical Transport Services) accredited air medical transport provider based in Tennesseetransport provider based in Tennessee

The LifeFlight Commitment to The LifeFlight Commitment to SafetySafety

Safety Highlights continued:Safety Highlights continued: LifeFlight can safely respond to transport LifeFlight can safely respond to transport requests under poor weather conditions. requests under poor weather conditions. Global positioning systems (GPS) allow Global positioning systems (GPS) allow direct routing during poor weather direct routing during poor weather situations which will minimize flight situations which will minimize flight delays. LifeFlight is the only air medical delays. LifeFlight is the only air medical transport service in Middle TN utilizing transport service in Middle TN utilizing this technology. this technology.

LifeFlight components/medical equipment LifeFlight components/medical equipment installations meet or exceed FAA installations meet or exceed FAA requirements. requirements.

Quality Patient CareQuality Patient CareLifeFlight medical crew LifeFlight medical crew members receive competency members receive competency based training in all based training in all areas of care including: areas of care including:

Adult and Pediatric Adult and Pediatric EmergenciesEmergencies

Cardiac EmergenciesCardiac Emergencies Neurological EmergenciesNeurological Emergencies Trauma and Burn Trauma and Burn EmergenciesEmergencies

Respiratory EmergenciesRespiratory Emergencies Obstetrical EmergenciesObstetrical Emergencies

Clinical CompetenceClinical CompetenceLifeFlight crewmembers are trained to LifeFlight crewmembers are trained to perform life-saving skills that would perform life-saving skills that would normally only be available in an emergency normally only be available in an emergency department. These skills include:department. These skills include:

Chest tube insertionChest tube insertion Femoral venous accessFemoral venous access PericardiocentesisPericardiocentesis

Vanderbilt LifeFlight also carries two Vanderbilt LifeFlight also carries two units of blood on every helicopter. This units of blood on every helicopter. This allows initiation of blood transfusions in allows initiation of blood transfusions in flight. Blood transfusion is another flight. Blood transfusion is another treatment that is normally unavailable in treatment that is normally unavailable in the pre-hospital setting. the pre-hospital setting.

Clinical CompetenceClinical CompetenceAdditionally, Vanderbilt LifeFlight Additionally, Vanderbilt LifeFlight medical crew members receive extensive medical crew members receive extensive training in difficult airway management. training in difficult airway management. Advanced airway skills include: RSI Advanced airway skills include: RSI intubation, needle cricothyroidotomy, and intubation, needle cricothyroidotomy, and surgical cricothyroidotomysurgical cricothyroidotomy

Clinical CompetenceClinical Competence

Many continuing education and Many continuing education and continuous quality improvement continuous quality improvement activities are mandatory for medical activities are mandatory for medical crew members. Some of these crew members. Some of these activities include:activities include:

Monthly chart review meetings with Monthly chart review meetings with attending emergency, trauma, attending emergency, trauma, anesthesia, and pediatric physiciansanesthesia, and pediatric physicians

Bi-annual skills labsBi-annual skills labs Documentation of skills competenciesDocumentation of skills competencies

Community OutreachCommunity OutreachCommunity outreach and education is Community outreach and education is another primary mission of Vanderbilt another primary mission of Vanderbilt LifeFlight. We routinely fly in for LifeFlight. We routinely fly in for various local community events such as various local community events such as safety fairs, conferences, or other safety fairs, conferences, or other educational events. educational events.

Community Community EducationEducation

Vanderbilt LifeFlight offers multiple Vanderbilt LifeFlight offers multiple educational opportunities for health educational opportunities for health care providers within our service area. care providers within our service area. Some of the classes provided include: Some of the classes provided include:

TNCCTNCC ENPCENPC NRPNRP BTLSBTLS

AMLSAMLS Advanced Advanced Skills LabSkills Lab

Pediatric BTLSPediatric BTLS

Community EducationCommunity Education

EMS Night Out (ENO) is an additional EMS Night Out (ENO) is an additional educational opportunity provided by educational opportunity provided by Vanderbilt LifeFlight. ENO attendees Vanderbilt LifeFlight. ENO attendees may earn CEU’s by participating in may earn CEU’s by participating in two 45 minute lectures on various two 45 minute lectures on various topics. The lectures are separated topics. The lectures are separated by a dinner break, where food is by a dinner break, where food is provided. ENO is open to everyone provided. ENO is open to everyone and admission is free.and admission is free.

Please visit our website for more Please visit our website for more information about Vanderbilt information about Vanderbilt

LifeFlight.LifeFlight.

www.vulifeflight.comwww.vulifeflight.com

Passenger Safety BriefingPassenger Safety Briefing

Let us again welcome you to Vanderbilt Let us again welcome you to Vanderbilt LifeFlight. We are pleased to have your LifeFlight. We are pleased to have your participation in the Ride-Along program. participation in the Ride-Along program. The goal is for every Ride-Along The goal is for every Ride-Along participant to have a positive and participant to have a positive and exciting educational experience. Our exciting educational experience. Our first, and most important, priority in first, and most important, priority in creating a positive experience is creating a positive experience is ensuring your personal safety. The ensuring your personal safety. The following portion of this presentation following portion of this presentation will focus on aviation and scene safety. will focus on aviation and scene safety.


A Vanderbilt LifeFlight A Vanderbilt LifeFlight crew will typically crew will typically consist of a pilot and consist of a pilot and two flight nurses. two flight nurses. Please strictly adhere Please strictly adhere to any instructions from to any instructions from crew members, as all crew members, as all direction will be given direction will be given with your best interest with your best interest in mind. The pilot will in mind. The pilot will be the ultimate be the ultimate authority at all times.authority at all times.

Approaching the AircraftApproaching the AircraftPlease do not approach a Please do not approach a running aircraft unless running aircraft unless accompanied by a accompanied by a LifeFlight crew member. LifeFlight crew member. These diagrams indicate These diagrams indicate the proper areas from the proper areas from which the aircraft may which the aircraft may be approached. As a be approached. As a Ride-Along participant, Ride-Along participant, you will not typically you will not typically enter the “Caution enter the “Caution Area”.Area”. You should NEVER You should NEVER enter the “Danger Area”. enter the “Danger Area”.

Approaching the AircraftApproaching the AircraftThe main rotor system may flex, or bend The main rotor system may flex, or bend down, when the aircraft engines are down, when the aircraft engines are running at less than full idle. In some running at less than full idle. In some helicopters, this can greatly reduce the helicopters, this can greatly reduce the height clearance when approaching an height clearance when approaching an aircraft. aircraft. Never travel underneath the Never travel underneath the main rotor system unless the aircraft is main rotor system unless the aircraft is at full idle, or completely shut downat full idle, or completely shut down. .

Approaching the Approaching the AircraftAircraftPatients are loaded using the rear clam shell Patients are loaded using the rear clam shell

doors. Since this requires emergency personnel to doors. Since this requires emergency personnel to enter the CAUTION area, you will see the pilot enter the CAUTION area, you will see the pilot station himself between the tail rotor and the rear station himself between the tail rotor and the rear doors. His job is to prevent someone from doors. His job is to prevent someone from inadvertently backing into the tail rotor. This is inadvertently backing into the tail rotor. This is what we refer to as performing “tail watch”, and is what we refer to as performing “tail watch”, and is well illustrated in the photo on the right. well illustrated in the photo on the right.

Approaching the AircraftApproaching the AircraftParticipating as a ride-Participating as a ride-along may provide some along may provide some exciting circumstances. exciting circumstances. However, regardless of However, regardless of the emotional gravity of the emotional gravity of any situation, please any situation, please maintain your situational maintain your situational awareness, and be mindful awareness, and be mindful of the rotor systems at of the rotor systems at all times. One small all times. One small mistake can have mistake can have catastrophic catastrophic consequences.consequences.

Types of LifeFlight Types of LifeFlight HelicoptersHelicopters

You will be flying in You will be flying in one of two types of one of two types of helicopters, either helicopters, either the EC-145 or the BK-the EC-145 or the BK-117. While these 117. While these aircraft are very aircraft are very similar, there are similar, there are subtle differences subtle differences between the two. This between the two. This presentation will also presentation will also preview some of the preview some of the important differences important differences you will need to be you will need to be familiar with. familiar with.

EC-145EC-145

The exterior doors The exterior doors of the EC-145 are of the EC-145 are shown, closed and shown, closed and secured, in the secured, in the upper photo. Note upper photo. Note the handles are in the handles are in the vertical the vertical (locked) position. (locked) position. Twist the handles, Twist the handles, as shown below, to as shown below, to unlock and open the unlock and open the doorsdoors

EC-145EC-145

The interior door The interior door handles of the EC-145 handles of the EC-145 are pictured to the are pictured to the right. The upper right. The upper photo shows the handle photo shows the handle in the vertical in the vertical (locked) position. To (locked) position. To open the door, simply open the door, simply lift the handle up, as lift the handle up, as illustrated in the illustrated in the lower picture.lower picture.

EC-145EC-145

In an emergency situation, In an emergency situation, the windows on the rear the windows on the rear compartment doors may be compartment doors may be removed. The red tabs removed. The red tabs highlighted in the photos highlighted in the photos are located on both the are located on both the interior, and exterior interior, and exterior portions of the doors. portions of the doors. Remove and pull a red tab Remove and pull a red tab to disrupt the window to disrupt the window seal. This will allow for seal. This will allow for easy separation and easy separation and removal of the window removal of the window

EC-145EC-145

In the EC-145, fire In the EC-145, fire extinguishers are located extinguishers are located in both the forward and in both the forward and rear compartments. The rear compartments. The rear extinguisher is rear extinguisher is located next to the rear located next to the rear clamshell doors (pictured clamshell doors (pictured above). The forward above). The forward extinguisher is located extinguisher is located between the two seats between the two seats (pictured below).(pictured below).

EC-145EC-145

This picture illustrates proper This picture illustrates proper operation of the EC-145 seatbelts. operation of the EC-145 seatbelts. Seatbelts must be worn at all times. Seatbelts must be worn at all times.

EC-145EC-145

To ensure optimal To ensure optimal seatbelt performance, seatbelt performance, the belt should be the belt should be snuggly seated low snuggly seated low across the pelvis. The across the pelvis. The top picture shows a top picture shows a properly donned properly donned seatbelt. While the seatbelt. While the lower picture has the lower picture has the seatbelt situated too seatbelt situated too high, and too loose.high, and too loose.

EC-145 Passenger Briefing EC-145 Passenger Briefing CardCard

EC-145 Passenger Briefing EC-145 Passenger Briefing CardCard

BK-117BK-117

The front and rear The front and rear compartment door handles compartment door handles of the BK-117 are of the BK-117 are pictured in the opposite pictured in the opposite photo. The handles are photo. The handles are in the closed and secure in the closed and secure position. To unlock and position. To unlock and open these doors, twist open these doors, twist the handles in the the handles in the directions indicated by directions indicated by the arrows.the arrows.

BK-117BK-117The interior door handles for the BK-The interior door handles for the BK-117 are pictured below. The forward 117 are pictured below. The forward compartment handle is on the left, and compartment handle is on the left, and the rear compartment handle is on the the rear compartment handle is on the right. Turn the handles as the arrows right. Turn the handles as the arrows indicate to open the doors.indicate to open the doors.

BK-117BK-117On the BK-117, the doors may be jettisoned On the BK-117, the doors may be jettisoned after an emergency landing. The door after an emergency landing. The door jettison triggers are pictured below. Pull jettison triggers are pictured below. Pull the jettison trigger to detach a door. the jettison trigger to detach a door.

BK-117BK-117

Fire extinguishers are Fire extinguishers are located in both the front located in both the front and rear compartments on and rear compartments on the BK-117. In the front the BK-117. In the front compartment, the compartment, the extinguisher is located extinguisher is located between the seats. The between the seats. The rear compartment rear compartment extinguisher is mounted extinguisher is mounted on the wall between the on the wall between the bench seat and the door.bench seat and the door.

BK-117BK-117

Pictured on the right Pictured on the right is a BK-117 is a BK-117 seatbelt. These seatbelt. These belts act in a belts act in a fashion similar to fashion similar to the EC-145 seatbelts, the EC-145 seatbelts, and operate as and operate as illustrated. Again, illustrated. Again, seatbelts must be seatbelts must be worn at all times worn at all times during aircraft during aircraft operation.operation.

FASTENFASTEN

UNFASTENUNFASTEN

Aircraft Door OperationsAircraft Door OperationsLifeFlight crew members will typically LifeFlight crew members will typically handle the operation of the aircraft handle the operation of the aircraft doors. Only in the event of an emergency doors. Only in the event of an emergency aircraft evacuation would non-LifeFlight aircraft evacuation would non-LifeFlight personnel be expected to open or close personnel be expected to open or close aircraft doors.aircraft doors.

Emergency EvacuationEmergency EvacuationAlthough emergency Although emergency landings/evacuations landings/evacuations are uncommon, and are uncommon, and highly unlikely. The highly unlikely. The FAA requires ALL FAA requires ALL passenger carrying passenger carrying aircraft to include aircraft to include emergency evacuation emergency evacuation procedures in their procedures in their passenger briefings. passenger briefings. In the event of an In the event of an emergency landing, emergency landing, please remember the please remember the following steps.following steps.

Stay CalmStay Calm Check that seatbelt and Check that seatbelt and

helmet straps are securely helmet straps are securely fastenedfastened

After aircraft stops, exit After aircraft stops, exit aircraft using doors if aircraft using doors if possible. Exit via possible. Exit via windows if unable to open windows if unable to open doors.doors.

Be mindful that rotors Be mindful that rotors have stopped turning have stopped turning before exiting.before exiting.

Crew members will Crew members will rendezvous, at a safe rendezvous, at a safe distance away, directly distance away, directly off the nose of the off the nose of the aircraft, in the 12 aircraft, in the 12 o’clock position. o’clock position.

In-Aircraft CommunicationsIn-Aircraft CommunicationsOn the day of your On the day of your Ride-Along, you will be Ride-Along, you will be given a helmet similar given a helmet similar to the one pictured to the one pictured here. This helmet has here. This helmet has a microphone, and will a microphone, and will plug into the aircraft plug into the aircraft intercom systems. This intercom systems. This allows you to allows you to effectively communicate effectively communicate with the crew members.with the crew members.

In-Aircraft CommunicationsIn-Aircraft Communications

Your helmet cord Your helmet cord will plug into an will plug into an intercom box. intercom box. There is one box There is one box for each seat in for each seat in the aircraft. The the aircraft. The bottom picture bottom picture shows the box, and shows the box, and how the helmet how the helmet cord should be cord should be inserted.inserted.

In-Aircraft CommunicationsIn-Aircraft CommunicationsThe illustration below describes the The illustration below describes the controls on the intercom box.controls on the intercom box.

The volume button may be rotated clockwise, or counter-clockwise, to appropriately adjust the intercom volume

Helmet plug -in

Radio Transmit Button

InterCom Talk Switch.


Depending on which Depending on which aircraft you are in, aircraft you are in, the intercom talk the intercom talk switch operates in one switch operates in one of two ways. In the of two ways. In the EC-145, slide the EC-145, slide the switch as indicated in switch as indicated in this photo. This this photo. This switch should lock in switch should lock in the “on” position. the “on” position. Then simply speak into Then simply speak into the helmet microphone the helmet microphone to talk. to talk.

EC- 145


In the BK-117, slide In the BK-117, slide and hold the intercom and hold the intercom talk switch, as talk switch, as indicated in the photo, indicated in the photo, to talk on the intercom to talk on the intercom system. When you are system. When you are finished talking, finished talking, release the switch, and release the switch, and it will return to the it will return to the neutral position. Do neutral position. Do not lock the switch in not lock the switch in the “on” position, as the “on” position, as in the EC-145.in the EC-145.

BK-117


The radio transmit The radio transmit button is used to send button is used to send communications outside communications outside the aircraft (i.e. the aircraft (i.e. patient report to the patient report to the emergency department, emergency department, or communications with or communications with flight comm). With the flight comm). With the exception of an exception of an emergency situation, emergency situation, ride-along participants ride-along participants would not need to use would not need to use the radio transmit the radio transmit button.button.


During takeoffs and landings, During takeoffs and landings, aircraft occupants will observe aircraft occupants will observe what is known as “sterile what is known as “sterile cockpit”. In our environment, cockpit”. In our environment, sterile cockpit refers to the sterile cockpit refers to the elimination of all conversation elimination of all conversation that is not directly related to that is not directly related to aviation safety and/or the aviation safety and/or the aircraft maneuver taking place. aircraft maneuver taking place.

Key Points For ReviewKey Points For Review Safety is always the #1 prioritySafety is always the #1 priority Strictly adhere to any crew Strictly adhere to any crew instructionsinstructions

Maintain situational awareness at all Maintain situational awareness at all times.times.

Never approach a running aircraft Never approach a running aircraft unless accompanied, or directed, by a unless accompanied, or directed, by a crew membercrew member

Be mindful of the CAUTION and DANGER Be mindful of the CAUTION and DANGER areas when around the aircraft. STAY areas when around the aircraft. STAY AWAY FROM THE TAILROTOR.AWAY FROM THE TAILROTOR.

Key Points For ReviewKey Points For Review

Familiarize yourself with door Familiarize yourself with door and seatbelt operationand seatbelt operation

To ensure optimal seatbelt To ensure optimal seatbelt function, seatbelts should be function, seatbelts should be worn snug and low around the worn snug and low around the hips.hips.

Familiarize yourself with the Familiarize yourself with the fire extinguisher locationsfire extinguisher locations

Key Points For ReviewKey Points For Review

Remember emergency evacuation Remember emergency evacuation proceduresprocedures

LifeFlight crew members will LifeFlight crew members will typically handle all door typically handle all door operationoperation

Familiarize yourself with the Familiarize yourself with the intercom system box operationintercom system box operation

Remember Sterile CockpitRemember Sterile Cockpit


This concludes the Ride-Along safety This concludes the Ride-Along safety briefing. The presentation was designed briefing. The presentation was designed to cover the FAA minimum of information to to cover the FAA minimum of information to be included in the passenger safety be included in the passenger safety briefing. Please expect a more thorough briefing. Please expect a more thorough briefing after you arrive on the day of briefing after you arrive on the day of your Ride-Along. Review this presentation your Ride-Along. Review this presentation until you feel comfortable with the until you feel comfortable with the information contained. Then complete the information contained. Then complete the attached Ride-Along quiz, correctly attached Ride-Along quiz, correctly answering all questions. Please present answering all questions. Please present your completed quiz to the on-duty crew your completed quiz to the on-duty crew the day of your Ride-Along. We look the day of your Ride-Along. We look forward to seeing you!forward to seeing you!

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Vanderbilt LifeFlight Ride-Along Safety Briefing