To Request Life Flight

Life Flight may be requested by physicians or by authorized industrial and public safety agencies such as ambulance services, fire departments, or law enforcement agencies. The toll-free number 1-(800) 252-5433 is answered by trained aeromedical communication specialists 24 hours a day.

Either the receiving or referring physician, or hospital staff can request Life Flight's assistance when a patient requires specialized transport to, or from another in-patient hospital unit. Emergency personnel may request Life Flight directly to the scene of an emergency.

The Communication Specialist will obtain initial medical and landing zone information, and immediately dispatch the crew. Be prepared to give the following information when you call:

• Your name and the name of requesting agency or hospital
• Number of patients needing transport
• Current medical condition of patient(s)
• Patient Location (hospital unit, accident scene)
• Telephone number or radio frequency to be used for communication with dispatch or the flight crew
• Landing zone for the helicopter
• For interhospital transfers, the receiving hospital, unit and name of the receiving physician

Once airborne, the flight crew maintains radio contact with the Communications Center and can communicate with the requesting and referring hospital staff or with emergency personnel utilizing MERCI frequency 155.340 mHz or any other VHF radio frequency.

Coverage Area Map

What Information Does Life Flight Need to Respond?

Below is a list of questions the dispatcher will request prior to helicopter dispatch:

• Name of requesting agency and callers name
• Callback phone number
• Type of accident
• Number of patients
• Location of the accident (i.e. town, cross roads, GPS coordinates, etc.)
• Call letters of unit at scene
• Radio frequency for communication between helicopter and units on scene
• Landing zone location
• Hazards near the landing zone (i.e. power lines, trees, radio towers, buildings, etc.)
• Any entrapment of patient(s)
• Any patient information available

Why ask so many questions? Complete information assures appropriate resources of staff, equipment and verification of communication ability maintains high standards for safety. Safety of all involved is first, last and always the priority of Life Flight.

Why Put Life Flight on 'Stand By?'

By putting Life Flight on 'stand by' the helicopter and team are placed in a ready position for departure. The aircraft is moved from the hanger if necessary and the crew is with the aircraft until activated or declined.

• Decreased life off times, once dispatched, Life Flight can be airborne within 3 minutes from a ready position.
• On questionable weather days, pilots are afforded extra time to assure weather is acceptable for flight.
• In the event of simultaneous calls for Life Flight, medical triage by the Life Flight Medical Director determines helicopter priority, thus saving time to the patient's side.

Established Scene Criteria For Prehospital Activation of Life Flight

• Entrapment - Patients entrapped with significant injuries can benefit from helicopter transport since the helicopter can be en route to the scene while extrication is in progress. Improved patient outcomes have been proven when the patient arrives at a Level I Trauma Center within the first hour of injury, i.e. the Golden Hour of Trauma.
• Multiple patients and/or critical injuries - when multiple victims are critically injured, local resources are overwhelmed. The Life Flight team is able to assist with triage, treatment, and rapid transport of patients. Patients who are critically injured requiring advanced airway management or other advanced life support care will benefit form the capabilities of the flight team, along with swift transport to definitive care at a Level I Trauma Center.
• Inaccessibility by ground - not all accidents happen in areas accessible by vehicles or personnel. Life Flight is capable of landing in a small area bringing Advanced Life Support to literally anywhere.

Landing Zone (LZ) Information

• Minimum 100 x 100 foot landing area
• Highway may be adequate
• Level ground is the best, no more than a 5 degree slope
• GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates are very helpful
• Clear of trees, wires, signs and loose debris
• Ground control by fire/law personnel
• Keep landing zone clear during landing and take off
• Monitor radio frequency which was given to Medcom to facilitate communication prior to landing
• Mark the four corner with flares (optional), and ensure they are secured well
• If using vehicles to mark LZ position vehicles at two corners and headlights should cross in center in direction of wind.

The pilot may decide (based on what they see from the air) to choose a different landing zone due to safety, wind or other considerations. If this should happen the pilot will advise you via radio of the change in landing zones. To ensure a safe landing zone:

• Emergency personnel must remain at least 100 feet from the aircraft during landing or takeoff.
• Spectators must be a minimum of 200 feet from the landing zone at all times.
• All loose objects must be secured such as spine boards, carts, etc. Winds generated at takeoff and landing near 80 mph.
• Protect yourself, especially your eyes from the rotor wash, any loose gravel, straw, corn, etc. will fly with the wind.
• Do not approach the aircraft after landing, we will come to you!
• Please turn off strobe lights since they are very blinding, flashing lights may be left on.

Communications With Life Flight

It is very important when requesting Life Flight to determine which radio frequency will be used for air to ground communication. A simple frequency to use is MERCI. Nearly every ambulance has this frequency of 155.340 mHz already programmed into their radio to talk with the hospitals. Life Flight may use several different call signs depending on the aircraft performing the mission.

At times you may hear the words 'Lifeguard' as opposed to 'Life Flight'. The handle 'Lifeguard' is used by aviation air traffic control to give priority air traffic clearance. In essence it's turning on the 'lights and siren' of the helicopter.