AEROMEDICAL MISSION PLANNING HELI.OPS.05 0 Purpose This procedure provides guidance on key steps for planning aeromedical missions. It is acknowledged that mission planning is a complex and dynamic process requiring decisions to be made based on the most reliable intelligence available at the time. The process must be flexible and adaptive. Non-Access aeromedical paramedics contacted regarding responses to Access-type environments (canyons, cliffs, remote areas etc) should insert a 'pause point' in their mission planning and consult with the Helicopter Duty Supervisor (via the AOC) prior to launch, regarding the need for aeromedical-access resources to form part of the helicopter response plan. The ultimate goal of mission planning is to provide situational awareness and risk mitigation to all mission stakeholders (ie; all crew members, operations centres, ground parties and operational managers). This procedure is NOT designed to tell crews how to undertake a mission, but to provide guidance on a consistent approach. This procedure should be read in conjunction with, > HELI.OPS.24 - Winch Communications > HELI.OPS.01 - Aircraft Radio Principals > AOC_4_13 - Aeromedical Code 1 Aircraft Accident, Overdue, Uncontactable or Concern for Crew procedures. Procedure 1. To ensure the safest, most effective and efficient response to aeromedical missions. Specific actions should be based on information that is gathered and analysed by the whole of crew. The following key considerations exist. Planning Considerations 2. Intelligence gathering is a key first step in mission planning. Time spent planning, is time well spent. 3. In the aeromedical context, mission planning for primary responses should consider: > Type of mission - canyon/water/cliff/remote area/search etc > Equipment required - all essential gear for mission (wetsuits/roping gear/life rafts/food/water etc) > Mission Plan - method and conduct and survival plan. Does your crew/aoc/acc etc know your plan? > Support/Backup - ground parties, Helicopter Support/Pick Up Points, other agencies etc > Comms Plan - groups involved, call signs, timings & methods. > Consider: - DTW radios - GRN radios - Mobile/satellite phone - Flares/signalling gear etc - Contingency/Alternate Plans - plan B, lost comms, 'Aeromedical Code 1' etc 4. All requests for resources must go via the AOC (or ACC). 02/05/2014 Pg.1
Planning Tools 5. STEP 1 - Intelligence Gathering G R A D E Gather information Source Review for relevance Focus Analyse alternatives Consider Determine priorities Set Execute & evaluate Conduct Intelligence Gathering G.R.A.D.E all available information related to the mission (eg; reports from scene, photos, weather reports, maps, local knowledge, internet searches etc) on relevant information only possible alternatives (eg; non-rope response, cancel or delay mission etc) order of priorities (eg; most to least important) operation and constantly review (eg; document good and bad points) 6. STEP 2 Field Risk Assessment E Environment P People E Equipment Field Risk Assessment E.P.E Terrain/Egress Cliffs (heights/edges) Anchors (stability/suitability) Weather (forecast/last light) Sea state (swell/tides) Atmosphere (CBR) Patient/Victim/Size of group Interagency Skills/Knowledge/Experience Age/health Attitude (+ive or -ive) Harnesses/Ropes etc Medical Kits PPE/Clothing/Footware Communications Food/Water/Shelter Vehicles 02/05/2014 Pg.2
7. STEP 3 - Mission Plan T Topography Mission Plan T/S.M.E.A.C.S Description of the terrain, geography & environment the mission is in S Situation Statement of what the current situation is M Mission Clear explanation of the goal E A Execution Administration & Logistics C Command & Signals S Safety Step by step list of how the mission is going to be performed Description of gear, job delegations & contingency plans Chain of command, communication methods and timings Identified hazards & specific requirements 8. Mission plans must be communicated to the whole crew and the AOC, as a minimum. Updates to the mission plan should be communicated as appropriate. Planning Resources 9. A range of planning resources are available to assist; > Aeromedical Operations Centre/RLTC > Helicopter Mission Preparation Flowcharts > Specialist guide books (climbing/canyon guides etc) > Field Operations Guide ('Vui Tui') > Duty 'Mission Oversight' Manager (called via the ACC) > Helicopter Duty Supervisor (called via the ACC) For Review February 2015 02/05/2014 Pg.3
Helicopter Mission Preparation: CANYON RESPONSE V1.0 Roping Water Bush Flight > Sit harness > Prussicks > Carabiners > Descenders > Helmet/gloves/torch > Pulley/s > Canyon rope/s > Wetsuit > Sharkskin > Hood > Dry bags > Pack > GPS & satphone > Footware (canyon) > Thermals & rain gear > Water > Maps > Cyalumes & spare batts > Bushsaw > food > s/bag & shelter > stove > Flight helmet > Flight harness > Switlik (GRN/PLB) > Minimal Pack BUSH PACK &/or WORN Weight & balance consideration 100m Rope Bag Helicopter Support Paramedic Blood & ultrasound Moving Map & Canyon Guide NVGs Doctor AIRCRAFT Non-essential gear Confirm ground resources Mission Brief Pre-Launch Checklist (prior to departure): L Location confirmed & achievable A Access plan confirmed & achievable U Uniformed personnel on-board or on ground N Necessary equipment on-board or on ground C Channel and comms confirmed H Helmet, hands, harness, switlik Pre-launch Checklist (L.A.U.N.C.H) 02/05/2014 Pg.4
Helicopter Mission Preparation: WATER RESPONSE V1.0 Water Flight > Wetsuit > Sharkskin > Hood > Wetsuit boots & gloves > Helmet/mask/snorkel > Fins/knife > Flight helmet > Flight harness > Switlik (GRN/PLB) > Minimal Pack WATER BAG &/or WORN Floating ball on hook Life Raft Helicopter Support Paramedic Shark Shield Moving Map NVGs Weight & balance consideration AIRCRAFT Non-essential gear Confirm ground resources Mission Brief Pre-Launch Checklist (prior to departure): L Location confirmed & achievable A Access plan confirmed & achievable U Uniformed personnel on-board or on ground N Necessary equipment on-board or on ground C Channel and comms confirmed H Helmet, hands, harness, switlik Pre-launch Checklist (L.A.U.N.C.H) 02/05/2014 Pg.5
Heli Mission Preparation: REMOTE AREA RESPONSE V1.0 Bush Flight > Pack > GPS & satphone > Thermals & rain gear > Water > Maps > Cyalumes > Bushsaw > food > s/bag & shelter > stove > Flight helmet > Flight harness > Switlik (GRN/PLB) > Minimal Pack BUSH PACK &/or WORN Weight & balance consideration Roping Helicopter Support Paramedic Blood & ultrasound Moving Map, Climbing guide NVGs Doctor AIRCRAFT Confirm ground resources Mission Brief Non-essential gear Pre-Launch Checklist (prior to departure): L Location confirmed & achievable A Access plan confirmed & achievable U Uniformed personnel on-board or on ground N Necessary equipment on-board or on ground C Channel and comms confirmed H Helmet, hands, harness, switlik 02/05/2014 Pg.6
Pre-launch Checklist (L.A.U.N.C.H) 02/05/2014 Pg.7
Helicopter Mission Preparation: CLIFF RESPONSE V1.0 Roping Bush Flight > Harness > Ascending > Carabiners > Descenders > Helmet/gloves/torch > Pulley/s > Torches > Pack > GPS & satphone > Thermals & rain gear > Water > Maps > Cyalumes & spare batts > Bushsaw > food > s/bag & shelter > stove > Flight helmet > Flight harness > Switlik (GRN/PLB) > Minimal Pack BUSH PACK &/or WORN Weight & balance consideration Rope Bag (100 or 200m) Helicopte r Support Paramedi c Blood & ultrasoun d Moving Map, Climb guide NVGs Drill Kit AIRCRAFT Confirm ground resources Mission Brief Nonessential gear Pre-Launch Checklist (prior to departure): L Location confirmed & achievable A Access plan confirmed & achievable U Uniformed personnel on-board or on ground N Necessary equipment on-board or on ground C Channel and comms confirmed H Helmet, hands, harness, switlik Pre-launch Checklist (L.A.U.N.C.H) 02/05/2014 Pg.8