DHART (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Advanced Response Team)
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DHART (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Advanced Response Team)

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Landing Zone Preparation

This is an ideal clearance approach for the EC 135 helicopter.

glideslope

Make sure that you identify all obstacles, avoid slopes greater than five degrees, remove all loose debris from the site, and prepare at least a 75' x 75' landing zone during the day and 100' x 100' landing zone during the night. The site should be firm, level, and clear of obstacles. Remember to pack all loose snow in the landing zone and keep all bystanders at least 200' from the site. All rescuers should keep clear of the tail rotor, protect the patient and rescuers from the rotor wash and also have a tail rotor guard standing by for instructions from the Flight Crew. Be quite cautious of the inherent "white outs" and "brown outs" which care caused by the rotor wash, which can create wind gusts in excess of 150 mph. Use vision and hearing protection as debris, if not cleared away will cause injury to bystanders and possibly damage the rotor system.

NEVER SHINE A SPOTLIGHT AT THE HELICOPTER DURING NIGHT TIME OPERATIONS! Doing this can harm the pilots night vision and may cause harm to observers, patients and the aircraft. You can mark the night landing zone with vehicle headlights or with portable lights placed in each corner of the landing site. ALL OBSTACLES SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE HELICOPTER BEFORE LANDING.Landing Site

REMEMBER: WHEN IN DOUBT, POINT IT OUT!

This is how an ideal landing zone appears at night from the air. Note that the vehicles are illuminating the landing zone. Once on final approach, and approximately 100 feet above the landing zone, emergency vehicles should extinguish all but their parking lights. The helicopter is equipped with a powerful search light which will light up the area.

THE TAIL ROTOR GUARD

Once the helicopter has landed and the pilot has signaled, the Tail Rotor Guard should immediately move out to a position on the left side of the landing zone in full view of the pilot.

The Tail Rotor Guard must maintain this position the entire time the rotor blades are turning. THE TAIL ROTOR GUARD MUST NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO APPROACH THE TAIL AREA OF THE HELICOPTER! Once the patient is loaded and the pilot has signaled, the Tail Rotor Guard should move back to their original position and depart the Landing Zone. Hearing and eye protection are recommended.

NO VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED WITHIN 75 FEET OF THE AIRCRAFT!

This eliminates the possibility of the rotor striking antennas, lights or other protruding obstacles. Approach the helicopter in a crouched position. Hands or equipment should not be raised above your head. l.V. poles should not be used around the aircraft.

  • NEVER approach the helicopter unless signaled to do so by the pilot. Approach from a 90 degree angle.
  • NEVER approach the helicopter while the blades are in motion, unless assisted by the crew.
  • AT NO TIME is anyone permitted near the tail of the helicopter.
  • DO NOT assist the Flight Crew in the opening or closing of the helicopter doors.
  • DO NOT unload equipment unless requested by the Flight Crew.
  • The Flight Crew will supervise the loading of the patient.
  • DO NOT smoke within the Landing Zone area.
  • DO NOT run near the helicopter.
  • DO NOT wear caps/hats or have loose items near the helicopter.
  • NO vehicles are to be driven onto the Landing Zone area.
  • DO NOT lift anything higher than your head.
  • DO NOT shine bright lights at the helicopter since it may affect the pilot's night vision.

DHART uses an American Eurocopter EC 135 helicopter. One unique feature in using this type of aircraft is that patients are easily loaded headfirst through the rear "clam shell" doors. All patients must be properly secured to the aircraft stretcher prior to being loaded. If the patient is on a backboard, the patient and backboard can be placed on the aircraft stretcher and then loaded. Only Flight Crew members may open and close the doors to the aircraft.

  • Never approach the helicopter until signaled to do so by the pilot.
  • Always approach the helicopter from the side in full view of the pilot; NEVER APPROACH FROM THE REAR!
  • The Flight Crew will come to the patient. Do not attempt to move the patient into the landing zone until assisted by the Flight Crew.
  • At no time is anyone permitted near the tail of the helicopter.
  • Do not assist the Flight Crew in opening or closing the helicopter doors.
  • Flight Crews are responsible for loading and unloading equipment and will direct the loading of patients.

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