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ACE TRAINING
magine it’s a quiet Saturday they’ve passed me the telephone. Jim’s wounds that require immediate action
morning and the toils of another ‘Minutes can face is very pale and while my heart’s to stabilise blood loss and to manage
busy week have taken their toll. racing, I must control my breathing post-traumatic shock. Once on board
IAt last (and for what feels like mean the and stay focused on following the the helicopter, every action is focused
the first time this week) it’s time to directions from the operator. on stabilising the patient and keeping
relax, and to let the mind unwind difference The 10 minutes it takes for the them alive until they arrive at a
over a fresh cup of coffee. The blue ambulance to arrive seem like an specialist hospital.
sky and warm rays of the sun beam between life eternity, I’ve done as much as I can. It’s now very early in the morning
through the lounge room windows and They’ve already called for a helicopter and the fatigue risk management
combine with a gentle breeze rustling and death.’ as Jim has internal injuries that system (prior sleep, individual fatigue
the trees in the garden. It’s a pleasant are well beyond the capacity of our risk profiles, crew monitoring each
relief from what’s been a cold winter. smaller local medical facility. The kids other, appropriate use of caffeine etc)
Relaxing on the couch, warm and are still crying, it’s a shock to us all to combined with an ongoing release
calm, it’s a contrast to the usual pace see Jim looking so helpless. They’re of adrenaline ensures the insidious
of juggling a busy job, a partner who telling us everything is going to be effects of fatigue are managed to
travels regularly, the never-ending OK but my hands are still shaking keep the crew alert. The acute stress
demands of a hobby farm and a couple uncontrollably…. hangover will kick in later in the
of teenagers who are quickly becoming For anyone living in remote areas, morning. Tasks such as this, driven by
adults. the sound of a helicopter arriving the sympathetic nervous system, tap
Then the pleasant moment is to provide lifesaving medical care is into stored reserves and drain the body
suddenly disrupted. something you hope you never need to of the critical irons and chemicals
The screams are deafening…the call on. But when confronted with the needed to allow the brain to continue
panic in their voices… “Mum, we terror of an injured or sick loved one to function at its best. It keeps them
need help”…no time to think…a huge the relief of specialist medical support alert in the moment but there will be
shot of adrenaline pulses through the can be the difference between life and a price to pay once they’re back inside
body. Its frantic, running to the noise, death. the confines of their home base that
outside the kids are screaming as they will eventually involve a long period of
try to get a response from their father Professionalism at its finest deep sleep.
who is lying motionless on the ground, The professionalism and specialist
the tractor lying on its side. My god, skills of aeromedical rescue pilots, Confronting complex situations to
Jim was always so careful with the crewmen, critical care helicopter rescue you
tractor…I must stay calm, constantly paramedics and doctors is something Back in the helicopter as the rescue
telling myself not to panic. we may take for granted. These small continues to unfold, there is a brief
“Call triple zero”. teams typically work under intense moment of quiet when the autopilot
As the kids run for the telephone pressure. assists with the management of the
I’m doing my best to recall basic first Imagine it’s 3am and you’ve just workload and this affords the pilot a
aid. DR ABC – Danger, Response, made an emergency landing to a brief opportunity to think ahead, to
Airway, Breathing and Circulation. remote field using night vision goggles plan the approach into the hospital.
We’re not in any further danger (NVGs). This requires a high cognitive Yet in an instant, there is an orange
but I cannot get a response from workload where all crew play a role to light and a master caution alarm.
Jim who remains unconscious. His ensure the helicopter avoids external Training in decision-making kicks
airway appears to be clear although AW139s inside the Toll obstacles to make a safe landing. Once in – the alarm and caution light are
his breathing is very short and raspy. Ambulance Rescue Helicopter on the ground, minutes can mean the cancelled and it’s straight into the
There is a faint pulse, thank goodness! Service’s Bankstown hangar. difference between life and death, emergency checklist.
The kids are starting to panic and mark jessop especially if the patient has traumatic It’s a chip light (a possible
82 AUSTRALIAN AVIATION
