Introduction to Aero Medical Evacuation

Disadvantages if MEDEVAC Operations with the OH-13?

1. Casualties received no in-flight medical care 2. Casualties were exposed to rain and sub-freezing temperatures 3. Casualties were exposed to enemy fire

BASIC AEROMEDEVAC MISSIONS/CAPABILITIES:

1. Delivery of whole blood and biological 2. Air-crash rescue support 3. Movement of medical personnel and supplies 4. Evacuation of selected casualties

CH-47 (AS A CASEVAC A/C) Ambulatory and Litter Configurations?

A L 31 (-6) 0 (+4) 25 (-6) 4 (+4) 19 (-3) 8 (+4) 16 (-6) 12 (+4) 10 (-6) 16 (+4) 4 (-3) 20 (+4) 1 24

Patient Classification by Precedence?

A: URGENT- Immediate evacuation is necessary to save life, limb, or eyesight within 1 hour. B: URGENT SURGICAL- Must receive far forward surgical intervene- tion to save life and to stabilize them for further evacuation within 1 hour. C: PRIORITY- Evacuation is required as soon as possible. Life, limb, or eyesight are not in immediate danger. Evacuation should be within 4 hours. D: ROUTINE - Evacuation is required, but it may be delayed up to 24 hours. E: CONVENIENCE - Evacuation is not urgent nor priority, but it is re- quired so as not to endanger the accomplishment of the unit tactical mission.

Constants on Litter Items?

ACL of all litters (1) Tensile strength of all litters (400 lbs)

Updated Equipment on a HH-60M?

Air conditioning, oxygen generating system, trauma suction, patient vital monitoring systems, and crew bubble window. Flight crew window/door removed to maximize space.

MASCAS (Mass Casualty)?

Any large number of casualties produced in a relatively short period of time, that exceeds unit support capabilities.

Forms & Request Unit?

Combat = MEDEVAC UNIT Peacetime = Range Control

References for Aero Medical?

FM 4-02.2 Medical Evacuation in a Theatre of Operation, Tactics, Techniques, & Procedures

HH-60M (MEDEVAC A/C)?

HH=Hospital Helicopter Red Cross markings: (5) 1 each cargo door, 1 nose, 1 belly, 1 top Crew: (4) Pilot, Co-pilot, Crew Chief, In-flight Medic ACL: Patient Configuration Normal Configuration: 4 litters and 1 Ambulatory Prior Notification: 6 litters or 6 ambulatory Loading Sequence: Ambulatory patients are loaded either first or last. Litter patients are loaded from top to bottom in a "Z" pattern. Most seriously injured are loaded last. This allows them to be unloaded first.

NINE LINE REQUEST FOR AEROMEDEVAC?

LOW - LOCATION FLYING - FREQ PILOTS - PRECEDENCE EAT - EQUIPMENT TACOS - PATIENT BY TYPE SOME - SECURITY (wartime)/ # of wounded (Peacetime) MAY- METHOD OF MARKING NIBBLE - NATIONALITY CHALUPAS - CBRN (Wartime)/Terrain (Peacetime)

MASCAL (Mass Casualties)?

Large number of casualties that exceeds the capabilities of the medical support.

Key lines of 9 Line?

Line 1-5 to get aircraft into air. Lines 6-9 can be sent while A/C is en route.

PATIENT CLASSIFICATION BY TYPE:

Litter Patients: Patients who are unable to walk, i.e. head, neck, or back injury Ambulatory Patients: Patients who are injured but can still walk

MTF:

Medical Treatment Facility

MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation):

Movement and en route care by medical personnel of wounded, injured, or ill persons from the battlefield and/or other locations to Medical Treatment Facilities on a designated medical vehicle or aircraft.

CASEVAC (Casualty Evacuation):

Movement of casualties aboard non-medical vehicles or aircraft. Casualties transported in this manner do not receive en route medical care.

Rotating Litter Config?

Normal = 4 Litter Prior Coordination = 6 Litter

Key History of MEDEVAC?

OH-13 SIOUX "Angel of Mercy" Contributed to saving 18,000 lives

Kendrick's Extrication Device

Primary use: Casualty with suspected spinal injury Tensile strength: 400 lbs ACL: 1

Jungle Forest Penetrator

Primary use: Evacuation of casualties through thick vegetation Tensile strength: 600 lbs ACL: 3 ambulatory casualties Weight: 21.6 LBS

Basic Rigged Litter

Primary use: Ground evacuation (sit down mission) Tensile strength: 400 lbs ACL: 1

Sked Rescue System (SKEDCO)

Primary use: Ground/water evacuation (sit down or hoist mission) Tensile strength: 400 lbs ACL: 1 *WATER OPS

CH-47 (AS A CASEVAC A/C)?

Primary use: Mass casualty evacuation Red Cross markings: (0) Crew: (4) Pilot, Co-pilot, Crew Chief, In-flight Engineer ACL: 24 litter or 31 ambulatory Medic to casualty ratio: 1 medic per 6 patients Loading Sequence: Ambulatory patients are loaded either first or last. Litter patients are loaded from front to back and top to bottom in a "Z" pattern. Most seriously injured are loaded last. This allows them to be unloaded first.

UH-1V (MEDEVAC A/C)?

Red Cross markings: (4) 1 each cargo door, 1 nose, 1 belly Crew: (4) Pilot, Co-pilot, Crew Chief, In-flight Medic ACL: Normal Configuration -3 litters and 4 ambulatory Prior Notification -6 litters or 9 ambulatory Loading Sequence: Ambulatory patients are loaded either first or last. Litter patients are loaded from top to bottom. Most seriously injured are loaded last. This allows them to be unloaded first.

UH-60Q (MEDEVAC A/C)?

Red Cross markings: (5) 1 each cargo door, 1 nose, 1 belly, 1 top Crew: (4) Pilot, Co-pilot, Crew Chief, In-flight Medic ACL: Normal Configuration -4 litters and 1 ambulatory Prior Notification -(w/out hoist) 6 litters & 1 ambulatory or 7 ambulatory -(w/hoist) 3 litters & 1 ambulatory or 4 ambulatory Loading Sequence: Ambulatory patients are loaded either first or last. Litter patients are loaded from top to bottom in a "Z" pattern. Most seriously injured are loaded last. This allows them to be unloaded first.

METHODS OF CASUALTY EXTRACTION

Sit Down Method: When the aircraft has a suitable landing zone Hoist Method: When the aircraft does not have a landing zone

High Performance Utility Hoist

Tensile Strength: 600 lbs Hoist Cable Tensile Strength: 600 Lbs Hoist Cable Length: 256 ft *(250 ft is usable) Slow Speed: Lift 600 lbs at a rate of 125 ft per min Fast Speed: Lift 300 lbs at a rate of 250 ft per min

ADVANTAGES OF AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION:

The speed, range, flexibility, and versatility of Aeromedevac Ops allow: 1. Timely treatment, contributing to saving lives and reducing permanent disability 2. Movement of patients over relatively long distances in short periods of time 3. Movement of patients over terrain where ground evacuation would be difficult or impossible 4. Patients can be moved directly to the MTF best equipped to deal with their condition