17 Oct. 2008
The Medical Air Evacuation designated by AIR MEDEVAC, allows the timely, effective and efficient transport of victims with continuous medical support, particularly trauma patients, from the zone of the accident back to appropriate medical facility (usually ROLE 3 hospital).
The Medical Team (Portuguese Medical Team) from Task Force MIKE / KTM / KFOR carried out training in MEDEVAC on the 5th October, having gained the knowledge of the procedures to adopt in medical evacuations involving SA 330 PUMA Helicopters.
The request protocol for AIR MEDEVAC must take into account several elements, namely the location of the gathering; radio frequency; number of telephone for contact; victim’s number and priorities; necessity of special equipment; victim's type (litter or ambulatory); description of the injuries and security in the Landing Site (LS); method of marking of the gathering place; nationality of the victim and description of the land. This is the NATO format for AIR MEDEVAC request.
The training occurred at CAMP PLANA and was administered by the French air evacuation team, composed by a doctor, a nurse, a paramedic and respective crew: pilot and support engineer.
This air team of transport utilizes equipment that enables the victim resuscitation and stabilization; it is equipped with material of immobilization and extraction, equipment for Advanced Life Support (defibrillator) and a portable ventilator.
It has the capacity for support in mountainous terrain, through the use of a stretcher fixed to a system for gathering and elevating the victim to the helicopter.
In the end of the theoretical training, the KTM Medical team had the opportunity for practicing the correct method, for medical team and patient, to approach the helicopter as well as the protocols for boarding of the stretcher and the transfer of healthcare responsibility to the team of air evacuation.
As a result of this training, Task Force MIKE/KTM Medical Team has been certified to act in situations of emergencies, where the practical and rigorous knowledge of all the correct protocols will optimize medical outcomes and minimize the damages caused in all the victims who eventually need air evacuation.
Story by: Lieutenant Ana Amaral Task Force MIKE / KTM Medical Officer
1. - Full Operational Capability
