helicopter operations

HELICOPTER OPERATIONS

Helicopter Types

Helicopter Types

• Cormorant• Messerschmidt

Helicopter Types

Helicopter Types - Cormorant

Helicopter Types - Messerschmitt Bo 105

Helicopter Types

• It is also likely that certain civilian helicopters might be involved with a medical evacuation from a shore landing site.

Helicopter Uses

Helicopter Uses

• Transfer of injured persons• Searching • Rescue• Transport of survivors

Transfer of Injured Persons


• To speed up the transport of a patient to an appropriate facility to improve the patient's survival and recovery?

• To extract a patient where their condition could be adversely affected by weather, road or wave conditions, or other factors affecting the use of ground transportation seriously delay the patient's access to advanced life support care?


• To provide the clinical skills or equipment needed to care for the patient during transport.

Information Needed By Helicopter

Information Needed By Helicopter

• Joint Rescue Coordination Centre will request the use of a helicopter if it is deemed necessary.

Information Needed By Helicopter 1

• RCM-SAR XX• Exact location of the vessel or accident, Latitude and

Longitude• Accident location in relation to major landmarks• Nature of Accident• Number and relative ages of patients

Information Needed By Helicopter 2

• Types of injuries of patients to be transported• Have patients been involved in a prolonged

extrication• Frequency and call signs to communicate with

auxiliary crews from the helicopter

Winching Operations

Winching Operations• At NO time are winching operations to take place off

an open or partially enclosed rescue vessel. The dangers of capsize in the rotor down wash is too great.

• When making a rendezvous with a helicopter, find and agree with the helicopter a suitable place for the rescue vessel to put the patient ashore, where the helicopter can land to pick the casualty up.

Winching Operations• The helicopter pilot sits in the starboard seat of the

cockpit and the winch is generally fitted above the starboard main door.

• The vessel likely be requested to steer a course. • The helicopter will then approach with her head about

30° to 60° to port of the vessel’s course, as this will allow the pilot to see the vessel and to keep station on it,

whilst any winching manoeuvres take place.

Winching Operations

Winching Operations• Winching procedures of

helicopters above vessels should pay particular attention to transfer-of-personnel operations in restricted visibility or bad weather.

Winching Operations• Before authorizing winching operations, the Coxswain

should ascertain that:1. the deck, overdeck and approach area

(i) are clear of all foreign objects and debris, and(ii) have all loose objects, including personnel headgear, secured;

2. members of the deck party are wearing hardhats;

Winching Operations

Winching Operations3. the deck party is not to touch the winch wire

until it has been properly grounded to prevent inadvertent discharge of static electricity;

4. all personnel to be transferred between the vessel and the helicopter have been fully briefed on winching procedures;

5. The winch wire is not to be fastened to the vessel in any way; and

Winching Operations6. radio-telephone communications have been

mutually established among the vessel and the helicopter;

• Generally the helicopter will lower a crewman to a vessel to properly package a patient. The crewman’s instructions are to be followed.

Winching Operations

Landing Site Requirements

Landing Site Requirements• Where a landing site is needed, it is most likely to be

set up by shore-side rescue authorities or emergency responders.

• However these slides are included to give some idea of what is required.

Landing Site Requirements• The landing area should measure at least 60 feet

square, but preferably larger (around 100 feet square)1. Obstructions surrounding the site may necessitate

it to be larger.2. Remember that even though a helicopter may be

able to land along a vertical plane in most situations, most helicopter pilots will want to have an approach and takeoff area.


• Consider the type of ground.– Don't want an extremely sloped or rocky field– Notify pilot of any obstructions such as tall grass,

rocks, or loose dirt. The pilots point of view causes him not to be able to see them until right on top of them

• Consider possible alternative sites if the accident site or first landing site chosen is possibly unfeasible.

• Mark the corners of the site with secure items so that problems don't occur in the rotor wash.

• Smoke isn’t recommended in this situation because most first responders in an overzealous mode will make the site invisible rather than just an edge

Marking the Landing Site


• At night, the landing area should be illuminated, but take caution not to blind the pilot on landing and takeoff – Have vehicles aim lights on low beams into the site– The helicopter pilot will most likely contact the

ground crew to also turn these off so that the pilot and crew isn’t blinded on the approach

– All helicopters have some sort of landing light

Marking the Landing Site Continued• Clear the site of all debris that might get sucked up in

the rotor wash (Failure to do this can cause an accident to the helicopter)– Only put signal markers in the center of the

landing area on request of the helicopter pilot.

Approaching the Helicopter

• Stay out of the landing site unless accompanied by a member of the aircrew or directed by an aircrew member.

• Always approach the helicopter from the front of the aircraft because of helicopter blind spots and danger areas.

• Always approach the helicopter in a crouched position with IVs or long objects carried low or parallel to the ground

Approaching the Helicopter• NEVER approach the helicopter unless signaled to do

so by the pilot. Approach from a 90 degree angle. • NEVER approach the helicopter while the blades are

in motion, unless assisted by the crew. • AT NO TIME is anyone permitted near the tail of the

helicopter.

Approaching the Helicopter• DO NOT assist the Flight Crew in the opening or

closing of the helicopter doors. • DO NOT unload equipment unless requested by the

Flight Crew. The Flight Crew will supervise the loading of the patient.

• DO NOT smoke within the Landing Zone area. • DO NOT run near the helicopter.

Approaching the Helicopter• DO NOT wear caps/hats or have loose items near the

helicopter. • NO vehicles are to be driven onto the Landing Zone

area. • DO NOT lift anything higher than your head.• DO NOT shine bright lights at the helicopter since it

may affect the pilot's night vision

Helicopter Approach Area


Safe Dangerous

Approaching the Helicopter• When approaching on a slope, approach from

downhill, since the rotor will be closer on the uphill side normally, if unsure wait for an escort from the flight crew.

• Never walk around in the tail rotor area.

• Transferring patient(s) from the team litter to the helicopter litter is done outside of the landing area

• Only the flight crew will open and close the doors or compartments on the helicopter

• All unauthorized personnel should stay out of the landing area.

General Guidelines

Final Thoughts

Helicopters don’t fly - they just beat the air into submission!

helicopter operations

Documents

helicopter typesit

winching operationsbefore

winching manoeuvres

winching procedures5

personnel operations

vessel likely

enclosed rescue vessel

types of injuries