landing zone safety safety first! instructor name
TRANSCRIPT
OBJECTIVES
• Request
• Setting up the LZ
• Aircraft
• Safety
• Accidents
– Address– Intersections – Mile markers– Town Centers
(heading and distance)
- GPS coordinates
Making the CallLocation
Helicopter ShoppingIf program A won’t accept the flight maybe program B will?
LZ Commander
• LZ Commander– Scene Safety
• Duration• Roads• By-standers
– Communication• 5 minutes out• Landing Zone
information• Radio contact at all
times including while on ground until lift off & out of site.
– Directions– Alternate LZ– This is a job from start to
aircraft departed & out of sight
Landing Zone Guidelines
100 feet
100
feet
Landing Zone Wind Direction
At least 100’ x 100’- 40 paces
Free of debris
Marked with conesand/or lights
Note hazards (e.g.wires, towers, trees,etc.)
Landing Zone Selection– Scene
– Pre-Designated
– Hospital Helipads
LZ Selection - Rotor Wash• Rotor Wash can be very strong
secure trash, debris, bystanders,mailboxes, sheets on cots, doors on apparatus, hats
Landing Zone Selection• Scene
– Shortens overall scene time
– Allows the patient to get to definitive care faster
– Flight crew can be an additional resource at the scene if needed
Landing Zone Selection
• Predesignated LZ– Established prior to the accident– Maintained in a database at dispatch center– Includes GPS coordinates, hazards, & description– May be strategically placed around your community– May assist aircraft in finding the scene– Airports, Hospital Helipads, Schools, Fields, etc.
Predesignated LZ
• Address: Geneva State Park 6412 Lake Road West Geneva, Ohio 44041
• Coordinates: N 41°51.15 W 080°59.08
• LZ Description: Large parking lot, south side of road. Creek tributary just West of LZ. Lake Erie is 200 yards north of LZ
• Hazards: Wires on South side of road
Marking the LZ
• Cones• Strobe lights• Emergency vehicles
(Usually the first thing seen)
In the aircraft….
• Flight crew is taking ground contact information from dispatch center
• Flight crew will attempt radio contact 5 minutes out (landing zone briefing)
Landing Zone Briefing• Direct the aircraft to LZ
– Landmarks– Give directions by
North/South/East/West– See/Hear the aircraft
• Landing Zone Brief– Advise surface condition –
Slope, soft ground, asphalt, snow, high grass, etc.
• Gravel is a poor LZ surface
– Perimeter Markings– Overhead Hazards (Power
lines, light poles)– Any other aircraft
Sample LZ Briefing• Helicopter 5, this is Wayne Township LZ Command –• You will be landing in a baseball field, behind the high
school, wide open flat grassy area. We have your LZ marked with five orange cones on their sides w/strobes, the fifth one marking the wind which is coming from the north.
• Be advised there are power lines along the tree line to the north side of ball field, the east & west are wide open, and the school sits to the south.
• You should also be aware there is a cell phone tower we can see about a mile to the east of this location, it is NOT lit.
• Do you have any questions?
WIRES, WIRES, Wires!Especially High Tension Wires
You can sometimes see more from the ground Communicate!
Final Approach• Aircraft calls “on
location/final/landing”• At least one orbit
over the scene• Charged hose lines
are optional• “Abort” if not safe
ABORT• If at anytime during the landing, you, as a
first responder on the ground, see a hazard (wires, obstructions, towers, etc.) that the helicopter is getting close to, or ANY dangerous situation developing, please immediately state “ABORT” on the radio. The pilot will immediately abort the landing and probably climb to get to a safe altitude to assess the situation
Snow or Dust• Take cover• Prolonged hovering
is not abnormal• Anticipate losing
visual contact with helicopter
HAZMAT Situations• Hazmat and Helicopters rule of Thumb • Increase distance 1/4 to 1 mile away depending on size
& type. • Rotor wash can blow hazardous material over a large
area. • Avoid setting up the LZ in low lying areas near the
scene. • Avoid setting up a LZ down wind of an accident site. • Helicopter engine exhaust can ignite combustible gases. • Do not put contaminated items on board the helicopter. • Never assume its not a HAZMAT situation
On the ground….
• Perimeter guard • Hot off load• Patient access• Aircraft remains running• Keep vehicles >50’ from
helicopter
Nighttime Approach
No white lights
directed into LZ
Perimeter guard is
very important
Flashing red and
blue lights are OK
Night Vision Goggles
(some programs are using)
Multiple Aircraft Scene
Adequate room
Communication is key
• Unloading– Do not approach helicopter!
– Assist only when asked• Crew• Pilot
– Approach at 90°– Watch loose articles of clothing
Safety First
• Transfer away from helicopter
• Quick patient assessment– Physically– Mentally
• Necessary procedures
We know time is critical!
Safety First
• Danger Areas– Main rotor– Tail rotor – Exhaust– Pitot tube
DangerDanger
Rear Loading
Caution
Safety First
Side Loading
• Danger Areas– Main rotor– Tail rotor – Exhaust– Pitot tube
Safety First
Approach Approach
• Danger Areas– Main rotor– Tail rotor – Exhaust– Pitot tube
Safety First
• Danger Areas– Main rotor– Tail rotor – Exhaust– Pitot tube
Safety First
Safety First
• Loading– Secure loose clothing
• Especially ball caps / hats
– Roadway – little help– Fields
• Four corner carry• Move at direction of
flight crew• One crew posted
at tail
• Day vs. Night
Rescuing the RescuerWhat you should know about the helicopter as
a 1st responder to a crash
– Scene Safety
– Protect yourself and others
– Wait for the AC to stop moving including rotor blades!
Rescuing the Rescuer First Things First
– Jet A- Fuel (less flammable than gas)– Use foam suppression
– Oxygen source on board (liquid O2 tank, D tanks)
– Small fire extinguishers on board
Rescuing the Rescuer In Case of a Fire
Flight Crew Safety Features
• Nomex Flight Suits• EMS Boots• Helmets with shields • Gloves• Ongoing Safety
Training
The Air Ambulance can serve you only if we arrive safelySafety of the people on the ground depends on you,
the professionals at the scene
Landing Zone Practice
Can you describe the landing zone?
Can you identify the hazards?
Our Goal Every Day
Is for everyone, including you, to go home at the end of the shift
Created jointly by:Safety First!