Landing Zone Safety Safety First! Instructor Name

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Landing Zone SafetySafety First!

Instructor Name

OBJECTIVES

• Request

• Setting up the LZ

• Aircraft

• Safety

• Accidents

#1 GOAL: To avoid….

Landing Zone Safety

• Number One Goal –

Safety First

• Vision Zero

– 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.)

Clock Method

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

WIRES, WIRES, Wires!Especially High Tension Wires

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

DO NOT APPROACH

The aircraft when running – this means you!

• 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

• Loading Systems– Rear Loading

– Side Loading

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?

Landing Zone #1: Ground View

Landing Zone #2: Ground View

Landing Zone #3: Ground View

Landing Zone #4: Ground View

Landing Zone #5 Aerial View

Landing Zone #6: Ground View

LZ #6: Aerial View

Landing Zone # 7: Aerial View

Landing Zone #8: Aerial View

Landing Zone #9: Ground View

Landing Zone #10 Aerial View

Our Goal Every Day

Is for everyone, including you, to go home at the end of the shift

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