Ambulance helicopter contribution to search and rescue in North Norway

Abstract

BackgroundSearch and rescue (SAR) operations constitute a significant proportion of Norwegian ambulance helicopter missions, and they may limit the service’s capacity for medical operations. We compared the relative contribution of the different helicopter resources using a common definition of SAR-operation in order to investigate how the SAR workload had changed over the last years.MethodsWe searched the mission databases at the relevant SAR and helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) bases and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (North) for helicopter-supported SAR operations within the potential operation area of the Tromsø HEMS base in 2000–2010. We defined SAR operations as missions over land or sea within 10 nautical miles from the coast with an initial search phase, missions with use of rescue hoist or static rope, and avalanche operations.ResultsThere were 769 requests in 639 different SAR operations, and 600 missions were completed. The number increased during the study period, from 46 in 2000 to 77 in 2010. The Tromsø HEMS contributed with the highest number of missions and experienced the largest increase, from 10 % of the operations in 2000 to 50 % in 2010. Simple terrain and sea operations dominated, and avalanches accounted for as many as 12 % of all missions. The helicopter crews used static rope or rescue hoist in 141 operations.DiscussionWe have described all helicopter supported SAR operations in our area by combining databases. The Tromsø HEMS service had taken over one half of the missions by 2010. Increased availability for SAR work is one potential explanation.ConclusionsThe number of SAR missions increased during 2000-2010, and the Tromsø HEMS experienced the greatest increase in workload.

Static Rope Evacuation by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in Rescue Operations in Southeast Norway

“…More men (39) than women (21) were evacuated, and the patients were engaged in a variety of activities at the time of the injury or falling ill (Table 5). The median (quartiles) response time was 47 (33-62) min, including a median (quartiles) take-off time of 9 (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13) 14; autumn [September−November]: 13). More than one-third of the incidents occurred during the weekend, with the most on Saturdays (n¼14).…”

Impact of icing weather conditions on the patients in helicopter emergency medical service: a prospective study from Northern Finland

“…Poor weather conditions have been reported to frequently cause denied or cancelled HEMS and search and rescue (SAR) missions [1–4, 17]. Studies have reported that 5.1–9.7% of all requested HEMS missions are denied or cancelled yearly due to poor weather conditions with the rotor wing aircraft [1, 2].…”

Rope procedures for extraction and insertion of persons used by helicopter emergency medical service

“…The decision regarding the method of insertion and extraction of persons during rescue missions is solely in the hands of the helicopter's pilot, who has to evaluate all influencing factors so as to minimize the risk to flight safety. Among the fundamental evaluated factors are wind speed and direction, turbulence, altitude, air temperature, location (water/land), position of the persons (free terrain/up a tree/on a roof/in a rock wall), terrain features (plain/mountainous terrain/mountain-climbing terrain), forestation and its height, the number of persons requiring transport and more [8]. The simplest and most secure method is always preferred.…”

“…If necessary extraction one or two people, it is better to use the on-board hoist. Based on the abovementioned reasons it is also true that in coastal countries and in rescue operations taking place more than 10 km from the coast, the on-board hoist is the only viable option of extracting persons from the sea [8].…”