Helicopter Safety for Helicopter Safety for SAR OperationsSAR Operations

Helicopter Rescue Checklist, Before you Helicopter Rescue Checklist, Before you CallCall

Before you consider using a helicopter for a rescue: Before you consider using a helicopter for a rescue:

• Have we cross-trained with this helicopter? Does it have the Have we cross-trained with this helicopter? Does it have the equipment and training to meet the task we are asking of equipment and training to meet the task we are asking of it?it?

• Do we have good communications with the helicopter Do we have good communications with the helicopter crew?crew?

• Do I have a good landing zone, a designated landing zone Do I have a good landing zone, a designated landing zone coordinator and safety officer? Are we prepared at the coordinator and safety officer? Are we prepared at the scene to rescue the crew in the event of a crash?scene to rescue the crew in the event of a crash?

• Is the weather adequate or is it deteriorating? (Minimums Is the weather adequate or is it deteriorating? (Minimums en route and at the scene are 1/2 mile horizontal and a 500 en route and at the scene are 1/2 mile horizontal and a 500 foot ceiling.)foot ceiling.)

• Is there a safer way for the rescue to be effected on the Is there a safer way for the rescue to be effected on the ground?ground?

• Is this a rescue or body recovery?Is this a rescue or body recovery?• Am I doing this to keep ground rescuers from having to Am I doing this to keep ground rescuers from having to

exert themselves?exert themselves?• Is the patient stable or deteriorating?Is the patient stable or deteriorating?• Is this call being driven by an increasing sense of urgency?Is this call being driven by an increasing sense of urgency?

Choosing a Landing Zone Choosing a Landing Zone (LZ)(LZ)

• Try to select an LZ that is adjacent to the scene to avoid the need Try to select an LZ that is adjacent to the scene to avoid the need for ground transport that could prolong a patient’s pre-hospital for ground transport that could prolong a patient’s pre-hospital time. time.

• Select a landing zone that will allow for an angled approach from Select a landing zone that will allow for an angled approach from at least one direction. This approach and departure path should at least one direction. This approach and departure path should be clear of towers, poles, wires, trees, signs, and other be clear of towers, poles, wires, trees, signs, and other obstructions. obstructions.

Touchdown Area (LZ)Touchdown Area (LZ)• Select a touchdown area that is as Select a touchdown area that is as

flat as possible. The slope should flat as possible. The slope should not be more than ten (10) degrees. not be more than ten (10) degrees.

• Ensure the touchdown surface is Ensure the touchdown surface is firm. Parking lots, roads, sport firm. Parking lots, roads, sport fields, and other locations are most fields, and other locations are most desirable. desirable.

• The size of the landing zone during The size of the landing zone during the day should be 75’X75’. The the day should be 75’X75’. The size of the landing zone during the size of the landing zone during the night should be 100’X100’.night should be 100’X100’.– The pilot has the final The pilot has the final

say on the selection of say on the selection of the LZ.the LZ.

• Ensure the touchdown area is free Ensure the touchdown area is free of debris and obstructions. Wet the of debris and obstructions. Wet the LZ if it is dusty or has loose gravel. LZ if it is dusty or has loose gravel.

• Keep spectators and vehicles away Keep spectators and vehicles away from the landing zone. from the landing zone.

Fire equipmentFire equipment

• In the Fire Service, In the Fire Service, for normal for normal operations, SCBA operations, SCBA and a charged and a charged attack line are attack line are required during required during Copter landingsCopter landings

• Follow your Follow your organizations organizations SOP’S/GuidelinesSOP’S/Guidelines

The Landing Zone The Landing Zone OfficerOfficer• Designate a landing officer ( Ground Contact ) to communicate Designate a landing officer ( Ground Contact ) to communicate

with the helicopter crew as soon as they are dispatched.with the helicopter crew as soon as they are dispatched.• Notify the emergency dispatch center of the frequency you intend Notify the emergency dispatch center of the frequency you intend

to communicate on and the Tactical Call of the Ground contact. to communicate on and the Tactical Call of the Ground contact. Provide the helicopter crew with a description of:Provide the helicopter crew with a description of:– The landing zone. Include the size of the landing zone, how it is The landing zone. Include the size of the landing zone, how it is

marked, a list of any nearby obstructions.marked, a list of any nearby obstructions.– Any other air traffic in the area, the wind direction and speed, any Any other air traffic in the area, the wind direction and speed, any

other weather conditions that may effect safe air operations.other weather conditions that may effect safe air operations.– What you expect them to do. Patient transport, rescue, search.What you expect them to do. Patient transport, rescue, search.– If a patient transport, give a medical size up of the patient/s.If a patient transport, give a medical size up of the patient/s.

• Notify the helicopter crew when you have them in sight. Notify the helicopter crew when you have them in sight. Immediately notify the crew if any last minute hazards are Immediately notify the crew if any last minute hazards are detected or if an unsafe condition develops. detected or if an unsafe condition develops.

Communicating with Communicating with the Aircraftthe Aircraft• When directing the When directing the

Helicopter to your Helicopter to your location use the location use the clock method clock method based on the NOSE based on the NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFTOF THE AIRCRAFT

• Never base the Never base the clock code onclock code on YYOUROUR positionposition

12:00

3:00

6:00

9:00

Land in front of the truck……. Which Truck?

Ground Personnel SafetyGround Personnel Safety

It gets dusty when a helicopter lands.

Ground Personnel SafetyGround Personnel Safety

Really dusty!.

Ground Personnel SafetyGround Personnel Safety

Even when you think it shouldn’t be!.

Overall SafetyOverall Safety• If you have a helmet, secure the chin strap. No other hats If you have a helmet, secure the chin strap. No other hats

should be worn, and nothing loose on your body.should be worn, and nothing loose on your body.• Cover up, head to toe. Wear full coverage goggles and gloves.Cover up, head to toe. Wear full coverage goggles and gloves. • Do not approach the helicopter until motioned to do so by a Do not approach the helicopter until motioned to do so by a

crewmember.crewmember.• Always walk, never run, around a helicopter. If the landing Always walk, never run, around a helicopter. If the landing

zone is uneven, never approach or depart from the uphill side. zone is uneven, never approach or depart from the uphill side. Always use the downhill side where you are in the pilot's view.Always use the downhill side where you are in the pilot's view.

• Do Do not touch anythingnot touch anything on the helicopter unless directed to do on the helicopter unless directed to do so by a crew member. so by a crew member.

• Remain clear of the tail rotor and main rotor at all times. Remain clear of the tail rotor and main rotor at all times. • At night. Do not flash any bright lights at the aircraft.At night. Do not flash any bright lights at the aircraft.

– Headlights on low beam, away from the LZ.Headlights on low beam, away from the LZ.– Code lights OFF after the helicopter has the LZ identified.Code lights OFF after the helicopter has the LZ identified.

Helicopter Helicopter LoadingLoadingOnly approach the helicopter, from the front,

when motioned to do so by the pilot

or crewmember

Danger

Area

DUCK!DUCK!

Watch your toes!Watch your toes!Stand on top of the skid not next to it.Stand on top of the skid not next to it.

Lift-Off and DepartureLift-Off and Departure• The LZ coordinator ( Ground Contact ) will The LZ coordinator ( Ground Contact ) will

notify the pilot when the landing zone is notify the pilot when the landing zone is clear of all ground personnel.clear of all ground personnel.

• Again check for other air traffic in the area Again check for other air traffic in the area and notify the helicopter the area is clear.and notify the helicopter the area is clear.

• Maintain all protective devices against flying Maintain all protective devices against flying debris.debris.

• Notify your dispatch that the helicopter has Notify your dispatch that the helicopter has lifted off and if possible their destination.lifted off and if possible their destination.

• If at all possible, try to maintain a secure If at all possible, try to maintain a secure landing zone with all personnel and landing zone with all personnel and emergency equipment for 5 minutes after emergency equipment for 5 minutes after the helicopter departs. If an in-flight the helicopter departs. If an in-flight emergency develops, this will allow the pilot emergency develops, this will allow the pilot to return safely to a secure landing zone.to return safely to a secure landing zone.