Helicopter Safety for SAR Operations

Charles DAlbrto

1
Helicopter Rescue Checklist, Before you
Before you consider using a helicopter for a rescue:
Call
Have we cross-trained with this helicopter? Does it have the
equipment and training to meet the task we are asking of
it?
Do we have good communications with the helicopter crew?
Do I have a good landing zone, a designated landing zone
coordinator and safety officer? Are we prepared at the
scene to rescue the crew in the event of a crash?
Is the weather adequate or is it deteriorating? (Minimums
en route and at the scene are 1/2 mile horizontal and a 500
foot ceiling.)
Is there a safer way for the rescue to be effected on the
ground?
Is this a rescue or body recovery?
Am I doing this to keep ground rescuers from having to
exert themselves?
Is the patient stable or deteriorating?
Is this call being driven by an increasing sense of urgency?

Charles D'Alberto 2
 Choosing a Landing Zone
(LZ)
Try to select an LZ that is adjacent to the scene to avoid the need
for ground transport that could prolong a patients pre-hospital
time.
Select a landing zone that will allow for an angled approach from
at least one direction. This approach and departure path should
be clear of towers, poles, wires, trees, signs, and other
obstructions.

Charles D'Alberto 3
Touchdown Area (LZ)
Select a touchdown area that is as
flat as possible. The slope should
not be more than ten (10) degrees.
Ensure the touchdown surface is
firm. Parking lots, roads, sport
fields, and other locations are
most desirable.
The size of the landing zone during
the day should be 75X75. The
size of the landing zone during the
night should be 100X100.
The pilot has the final
say on the selection of
the LZ.
Ensure the touchdown area is free
of debris and obstructions. Wet the
LZ if it is dusty or has loose gravel.
Keep spectators and vehicles away
from the landing zone.

Charles D'Alberto 4
 Fire equipment

In the Fire Service,

for normal
operations, SCBA
and a charged
attack line are
required during
Copter landings
Follow your
organizations
SOPS/Guidelines

Charles D'Alberto 5
The Landing Zone
Officer
Designate a landing officer ( Ground Contact ) to communicate
with the helicopter crew as soon as they are dispatched.
Notify the emergency dispatch center of the frequency you intend
to communicate on and the Tactical Call of the Ground contact.
Provide the helicopter crew with a description of:
The landing zone. Include the size of the landing zone, how it is
marked, a list of any nearby obstructions.
Any other air traffic in the area, the wind direction and speed, any
other weather conditions that may effect safe air operations.
What you expect them to do. Patient transport, rescue, search.
If a patient transport, give a medical size up of the patient/s.
Notify the helicopter crew when you have them in sight.
Immediately notify the crew if any last minute hazards are
detected or if an unsafe condition develops.

Charles D'Alberto 6
Communicating with
the Aircraft 12:00

When directing the

Helicopter to your
location use the 9:00 3:00
clock method
based on the NOSE
OF THE AIRCRAFT
Never base the
clock code on
YOUR position 6:00
Charles D'Alberto 7
Land in front of the truck.
Which Truck?
Charles D'Alberto 8
Ground Personnel Safety

It gets dusty when a helicopter

Charles D'Alberto lands. 9
Ground Personnel Safety

Really dusty!. Charles D'Alberto 10

Ground Personnel Safety

Even when you think Charles

it shouldnt
D'Alberto be!. 11
Overall Safety
If you have a helmet, secure the chin strap. No other hats
should be worn, and nothing loose on your body.
Cover up, head to toe. Wear full coverage goggles and gloves.
Do not approach the helicopter until motioned to do so by a
crewmember.
Always walk, never run, around a helicopter. If the landing
zone is uneven, never approach or depart from the uphill side.
Always use the downhill side where you are in the pilot's view.

Do not touch anything on the helicopter unless directed to do

so by a crew member.
Remain clear of the tail rotor and main rotor at all times.
At night. Do not flash any bright lights at the aircraft.
Headlights on low beam, away from the LZ.
Code lights OFF after the helicopter has the LZ identified.

Charles D'Alberto 12
Helicopter
Loading
Only approach
the helicopter, Danger

from the front,

when
Area
motioned to do
so by the pilot
or
crewmember
Charles D'Alberto 13
DUCK!

Charles D'Alberto 14
Watch your toes!
Stand on top of the skid not next to it.

Charles D'Alberto 15
Lift-Off and Departure
The LZ coordinator ( Ground Contact ) will
notify the pilot when the landing zone is
clear of all ground personnel.
Again check for other air traffic in the area
and notify the helicopter the area is clear.
Maintain all protective devices against
flying debris.
Notify your dispatch that the helicopter has
lifted off and if possible their destination.
If at all possible, try to maintain a secure
landing zone with all personnel and
emergency equipment for 5 minutes after
the helicopter departs. If an in-flight
emergency develops, this will allow the pilot
to return safely to a secure landing zone.
Charles D'Alberto 16
For Latest update Follow
Charles DAlberto At Social
Sites
Facebook:-
https://www.facebook.com/PerlaGroupInter
national/
Website:-www.charlesdalberto.com
http://www.perlagrp.com
Reddit:-
https://www.reddit.com/r/Helicopters/com
ments/3ohh46/perla_group_ceo_charles_d
alberto/

Charles D'Alberto 17