Mr David Barber1
1NZDF, Whenuapai , New Zealand
Advance Life Support, simulation at 9000 feet.
CAPTAIN David Barber
In 2018 and 19 AMU decided to use its hypobaric chamber to practice simulated resuscitation in flight. Conducting simulated advanced life support (ALS) scenarios in our hypobaric chamber at 9000 feet. This added stressors of flight to the scenario, like bariatic pressure, reduced oxygen, noise and confined space, all without leaving the ground. The hypobaric chamber came into service in 1968, it is used for hypoxia rapid decompression training.
The Aviation Medicine Unit (AMU) from provides aviation medicine training and advice to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) training is conducted from AMUs state of the art training facility at Whenuapai, Auckland, New Zealand.
Realistic AE training is crucial as AE patients are extremely vulnerable. Training scenarios practising advanced life support (ALS) in flight, teach how to prevent ‘the Swiss cheese model’ lining up. Responsible training calls for an awareness of cost and impact on the environment. However the aviation environment is unique and clinicians must actually experience it, to properly understand it.
In an Aircraft clinical skills and teamwork in a moving noisy confined space are challenging when things are going well. When they are not, dangers await. Hazardous circumstances are difficult to create with ground training. The hypo baric chamber replicates the aviation environment and the difficulties of communication and restriction of movement.
Crew recourse management (CRM) is fundamental on an AE mission. Even the most junior team member must feel free to speak up about medical or aviation safety concerns. Students have more feedback to offer after realistic experiences, these opinions assist in every bodies learning and inspires (operational CRM).
Proper training can help avoid making mistakes under pressure. Putting students under stress with realistic scenarios brings out the best in students.
Biography:
Captain David Barber. I am a full time Military nurse and Clinical Nurse Specialist in Critical Care with the New Zeeland Defence force (NZDF). My current role is a Flight Nursing Officer with the Royal New Zealand Airforce, one of my core responsibilities is to train NZDF personnel in aeromedical evacuation (AE). I am also an AE team member who must maintain currency and readiness to deploy in support of NZDF operations