Mr Sam Fielder1, Mr Simon Cradock2
1Babcock, Adelaide Airport, Adelaide, Australia, 2South Australian Ambulance Service, Adelaide, Australia
Abstract:
77% of the South Australian population is located in the greater Adelaide area, with no other regional city population exceeding 30,000 people. This has resulted in an aeromedical retrieval network that bases most of its aviation assets, and indeed all rotary wing assets currently operated by Babcock, in Adelaide.
This presentation will highlight some of the unique challenges, both clinical and logistical, considered by Babcock when planning long range search and rescue taskings for the South Australian State Rescue Helicopter Service (SRHS), which can be over 1200km from base.
When planning a rescue, the crew and emergency services personnel must collaboratively evaluate, and re-evaluate, multiple factors. Foremost consideration is the clinical needs of the patient. Beyond this is flight planning for the transit and recovery mission. This includes fuel availability, weather en route and in location, equipment required on scene, maintenance support and crew duty limitations. The availability of local medical resources as well as transit times to a major trauma centre post patient recovery must also be considered.
Using real life case studies, Babcock will discuss the challenges and solutions adopted to deliver successful rescue responses for the SRHS.
Biographies:
Sam Fielder started working for Australian Helicopters (now Babcock) in December 2007 as a Rescue Aircrewman where he was located at Horn Island in northern Queensland. In 2013 he relocated to Adelaide. During his tenure he has worked in a variety of roles including Rescue Crew and Aircrew Officer, and he continues to fly with Babcock currently as the Supervisory Base Aircrew Officer.