Personal protective equipment in helicopter EMS.
For a variety of reasons, air medical crews continue to be exposed to situations that can bring about severe personal injury or death. Despite recommendations from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Association of Air Medical Services, the use of personal protective equipment among air medical crews is not uniform or universal. Helmets have been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality from head injury, the most common form of injury in a helicopter crash. Flame-retardant clothing may likewise improve the outcome of an in-flight or post-crash fire and should include gloves. Additional consideration should be given to the appropriate undergarments. Protective footwear can also decrease injuries to air medical crews.
Hawkins
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MR
Providence Hospital, Anchorage, AK 99519.
D000060:Accidents, Aviation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017732:Air Ambulances / Q000592:standards*; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000592:standards*; D005411:Flame Retardants; D018409:Foot Injuries; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States