SkyLife Air
Ambulance
| Skylife | Safety | Aircraft | Flight Crew | Photos | Newsletter | Links | Helicopter Criteria |
SkyLife Air
Ambulance
|
| Skylife | Safety | Aircraft | Flight Crew | Photos | Newsletter | Links | Helicopter Criteria |
|
Providing quality air ambulance transportation throughout California SkyLife P.O. Box 4 Clovis, CA 93613 Phone: (559) 346-1025 Fax: 559-292-2403 Lisa Epps, RN, Program Director
SkyLife is a partnership between
American Ambulance and
Roger’s Helicopters and provides rapid air transportation for the
critically injured trauma and medical patient.
SkyLife started business in 1991 and has safely transported over
5000 patients. The helicopter is based at
Fresno Yosemite International Airport in Fresno, CA and is staffed 24
hours/day with a flight nurse, flight paramedic, and EMS pilot.
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No one is allowed on the pad
when
blades are in motion, unless directed by the crew.
P
Don't approach the helicopter
while
the blades are turning.
P
Always approach from the front
or sides of the aircraft within the pilots’ field of vision.
P
At no time
is anyone permitted near the tail of the aircraft.
P
No smoking or running
within 100 feet of the aircraft.
P
Secure loose items
on the gurney (sheets) and yourself.
Main rotor
system can generate gusts up to 100 mph.
P
Flight crew will
direct the loading
and unloading of patient and equipment, and maintain patient care to the
bedside.
P
Flight crew will be responsible for
securing the aircraft doors.
P
Do not lift anything higher than
your head.
All articles should be carried horizontally.
P
No vehicle is to be driven within 50
feet of the aircraft when blades are in motion.
P
Artificial light should be kept to a
minimum during takeoff and landing.
P
Remain clear of the take off
area and keep your back toward the
helipad/landing zone when the aircraft is departing to protect your eyes from
blowing dirt and dust.
P
Do not leave stretchers or
gurneys unattended.
Considerations for Air Medical Transport of Trauma Patients:
(As Outlined by AAMS)
Ø Lengthy extrication of the patient from the accident site and the severity of the patient's injury requires delivery of critical care team to the accident site
Ø Structural intrusion of the patient's space in the vehicle
Ø Patient ejected from the vehicle
Ø Pedestrian struck at >20 mph
Ø Unrestrained occupant of a vehicle rollover
Ø Motorcycle accident >20 mph
Ø Front bumper of the vehicle displaced >30 inches to the rear, or rearward displacement of the front axle
Ø Fall from a height of >20 feet
Ø Penetrating injury anywhere from mid-thigh and above
Ø Amputation or near amputation
Ø Scalping or degloving injury
Ø Severe loss of blood
Ø Hypotension
Ø Burns >15% BSA, or burns to face, hands, or perineum
Ø Injury with neurological deficits
Ø Unstable or potentially unstable airway (Potential for rapid sequence induction intubation)
Ø GCS <8 or revised Trauma Score <11
Ø Age <5 or >55 with multiple trauma
Ø
Adult with respiratory
rate <10 or >30, and/or HR <60 or >120
Considerations for Air Transport of Medical/Surgical Patients:
(As Outlined
by AAMS)
Ø Status post cardiac arrest (within 24 hours) patients or acute MI patients
Ø Unstable vital signs or titrating vasoactive infusions
Ø Requires mechanical ventilation
Ø Unstable airway
Ø Anti-dysrhythmia medications or temporary pacemaker to maintain cardiac stability
Ø Acute deterioration of mental status, including the stroke patient
Ø Immediate invasive therapy required at a hospital
Ø Indwelling arterial and central venous lines
Ø Organ transplant patients
Ø Invasive, therapeutic, and/or diagnostic services not available at a referring facility
Ø Uncontrolled seizures
Ø
High-risk obstetrics
