Practicing patient care aloft

PALMER—Matanuska-Susitna Borough EMS responders are practicing their life saving skills in the air. A three day Medevac Escort course in Palmer, July 23, 24, and 26, will give hands-on experience in assessing and treating patients while aloft in a small aircraft.

“It doesn’t happen often,” said Bill Mackreth, MAT-SU EMS training coordinator, “but sometimes emergency circumstances require a Borough EMT to board a helicopter or small plane on short notice and, in an unfamiliar aircraft, be prepared to give medical care to a potentially critical patient. It isn’t an easy task.”

In this course responders will learn answers to such questions as: When vibration makes it difficult to feel a pulse, are there any tricks that can help? From what angle should an EMT approach a helicopter? What is the hand signal for “don’t land here?” What effects can altitude changes have on a critical patient or on an EMT taking care of that patient?
Students will participate in flights that may include wide temperature variations, cramped spaces, vibration and high noise levels, as well as rapid changes in course and attitude.

The value of this course became apparent to medics from the Butte Ambulance Service just three weeks ago, when they reached a patient with chest trauma in a remote, wooded area and were dismayed to learn that the Lifeguard Alaska helicopter was on another emergency. The Alaska State Trooper helicopter had room for one of their crew to attend the injured man as they flew to MAT-SU Regional Hospital.

For more information call Bill Mackreth, EMS training coordinator, at 373-8809. or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Reporters: Please call ahead. Photo opportunities likely will be Thursday evening with a 210th Pavehawk and Saturday morning and afternoon, when a variety of aircraft should be on hand for the students to board.

Photos of former courses by Bill Mackreth. Photo 2: EMT-3 Mitch Tandeske assessing EMT Tami Floyd as she plays the role of the patient in Lifeguard Alaska’s  A-Star helicopter during the 2006 medevac course, as flight paramedic Tim Nixon looks on. —End—