Ground Team Safety Briefing

1. Ground Team Safety Briefing Helicopter Landing Zone Safety By Donald Pond, 1Lt., CAP

2. SAFETY BRIEFING OVERVIEW THE IDEAL LANDING ZONE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS HAZARDS AT THE LANDING ZONE TEMPORARY LANDING ZONE IN FLIGHT COMMUNICATIONS PRE-LANDING APPROACH LANDING FUNCTIONAL AREAS AROUND THE AIRCRAFT REDUCED CLEARENCE AREAS PATIENT LOADING

3. BE PREPAIRED LZ operations is a �heads up operation that can be established with a limited amount of personnel. NO �FREELANCING� ALL team members work together.

4. Ideal Landing Zone (LZ) � Size 75� x 75� daytime 100� x 100� night time � Terrain Flat and level Solid ground Free from potential airborne hazards

5. Safety Considerations Safety �Wind sock or marker tape to indicate wind direction �Landing zone Lighted (dusk to dawn) � Security perimeter around landing LZ � Fire Extinguisher Equipment (If possible) � Observe and Report Obstacles Around or near the LZ (Trees, Poles & Wires)

6. Hazards at the LZ Keep in mind� � Dirt and snow can produce ZERO visibility situations for the Pilot � Loose objects will be blown into the air � Can be sucked into engine intakes � Can strike and damage main rotor blades and/or tail rotor � Can strike ground personnel

7. Perimeter markers � Traffic cones on their sides � Commercial flashing colored strobe lights White lights blend in from 300 feet � Flashlights that can be secured Do NOT use � People � Caution or marker tape

8. In Flight Communications Most Medical Helicopters will attempt radio contact. CAP channels are not available (FOUO). If available, use PA SAR Channel 155.160 MHz or use air bands channels. At a last resort, establish a radio relay to mission base for a landline to Medical Helicopter�s Flight Operations Center. The pilot / flight crew when in route to your location will need to know - Patient condition update - Report on your LZ conditions. Describe known hazards by their direction with respect to the LZ like: ��there is a group of trees approximately 75� high and 300� to the southeast corner of the LZ over�.

9. Pre Landing Approach The flight crew will perform a �Safety lap� High Reconnaissance � Aircraft will circle LZ looking for obstructions and hazards � Side door may open to give a better sight of the LZ as we approach � Ground Team role � Do NOT assume that the flight crew can see what you see � If you see something that is dangerous, wave the aircraft off from the approach

10. When possible, helicopter will land INTO the wind

11. When possible, helicopter will depart INTO the wind

12. Potential Landing Glide Slope

13. Landing Helicopter rotor wash � High winds � Flying debris � Personal safety � Secure loose objects prior to approach � Eye protection! � Hearing Protection! Extra vigilance in preventing people from walking/driving into LZ

14. Landing Do not shine lights directly at aircraft, especially at night � No head lights � No camera flash bulbs � Do not approach aircraft until signaled by flight crew � Once aircraft on the ground, set perimeter guards to prevent people walking into dangerous situation � Bystanders at 200 feet or greater from LZ

16. Approaching the Aircraft Wait for flight crew to signal for you � Maintain eye contact with pilot when possible � Approach from front of aircraft � Assistance with loading patient � Secure loose items � Remove hats, scarves, etc� � Hearing / Eye protection

17. Approaching the Aircraft Bring patient to aircraft from front or from side � Do not go near tail rotor � Patient transfer to flight crew�s stretcher takes place prior to loading. - Loaded head first - Once front of the stretcher is into aircraft, no additional assistance required - Designed for one person use � Exit towards nose or towards sides of aircraft - NEVER exit to the rear of the aircraft - NEVER exit behind the aircraft

18. Approaching the Aircraft

19. Positioning of lights during night LZ Operations

20. Functional Areas Around the Aircraft

21. Approaching the Aircraft Things to take into consideration - Slope of LZ - Can decrease clearance between rotor blade and you - Can decrease clearance between ground and tail rotor - Must be considered when approaching aircraft - DO NOT APPRAOCH ON THE SIDE WITH DIMINISHED CLEARANCE!!

22. Approaching the Aircraft

23. Reduced Clearance Areas

24. SAFETY is PARAMOUNT Safety is paramount when transporting the Critical Care patient by Helicopter. Any compromise or short cuts are not acceptable.

25. Questions?

26. Thank you for attending today�s Safety Briefing