ASTM F1274-91

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Designation: F 1274 – 91
Standard Specification for
Fixed Wing Advanced Life Support Transport Units
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1274; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Committee F-30 was established on a voluntary basis to edit, update, and create where necessary,
voluntary standards for all facets of emergency medical services (EMS).
Task Group F30.01.02 is responsible for water and air vehicles and has prepared standards that
cover the medical transport units for the three levels of general patient care, namely basic, advanced,
and specialized.
The specifications for these units have been prepared as separate standards, each standing alone, for
the convenience of the unit’s personnel.
It cannot be emphasized enough that the requirements contained in these specifications are
minimums. Additional personnel, equipment, and supplies can be carried at any time, providing the
stated minimums are not violated.
The specifications are concerned only with the three broad categories of general EMS. They do not
cover any aspect of rescue and they do not preclude unique configurations such as the units that are
used exclusively as neonatal transports.
This specification covers the second of the three fixed wing medical transport unit categories. It is
solely concerned with the minimum requirements for the fixed wing advanced life support transport
unit. A unit, staffed and equipped as specified in this specification, will be capable of meeting today’s
accepted standard of advanced life support.
1. Scope F 1177 Terminology Relating to Emergency Medical Ser-
vices
1.1 This specification pertains to fixed wing transport units
F 1220 Standard Guide for Emergency Medical Systems
involved in patient transportation and care, at the advanced life
(EMSS) Telecommunications
support level. It outlines the minimum requirements, including
F 1229 Guide for Establishing the Qualifications, Education
personnel and the patient care equipment, that must be met
and Training of EMS Aeromedical Patient Care Providers
before the unit can be classified as an advanced life support
2.2 Other Standard:
transport unit.
USARTL-TR-79-22D Aircraft Crash Survival Design
1.2 This specification describes the minimum configuration
Guide
and capability required for the vehicle, the minimum number
of seats for personnel, and the provisions for the minimum
3. Terminology
medical equipment and supplies.
3.1 Definitions:
1.3 Other specifications of Committee F-30 will apply.
3.1.1 Specific terms used throughout this specification are
2. 2.Referenced Documents defined in 3.2. Other applicable terms are contained in Termi-
nology F 1177.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to The Standard:
F 1149 Practice for Qualifications, Responsibilities and Au-
3.2.1 Descriptions of Terms Relating to Personnel:
thority of Individuals and Institutions Providing Medical
2,3
3.2.1.1 air ambulance provider—the individual or entity
Direction of Emergency Medical Services
that holds the license or certificate issued by the appropriate
governmental authority. The air ambulance provider is respon-
sible for and manages the operation of the aviation medical
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-30 on transport unit.
Emergency Medical Services and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
3.2.1.2 air-medical crewmembers—transport personnel
F30.01 on EMS Equipment. Current edition approved April 1,1991. Published June
whose primary function is to carry out the medical duties of the
1991.
medical mission that has been accepted by an air medical
Appendix X1 contains a list of documents that relate to medical transportation.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 13.01.
transport unit. They are qualified to perform the medical
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1274
responsibilities of the mission to the standard established for format that is contained in Specification F 1118. The format is
the designated air medical transport unit category, (basic life a guideline so that the catalog will contain standardized,
support, advanced life support or specialized). comparable data on existing aviation medical transport units.
The short title 88Resources Catalog” may be used when the
3.2.1.3 flight crewmembers—transport personnel whose pri-
mary function is to operate and navigate the aircraft under the meaning is clear.
3.2.6 Descriptions of Terms Related to the Mission:
specified conditions, in accordance with all the applicable
Federal Aviation regulations. Flight crewmembers include 3.2.6.1 advanced life support level—a level of patient care
where all the skills required for advanced life support can be
pilots, navigators, radio operators and crew chiefs.
effectively applied at any time during the complete mission.
3.2.1.4 transport personnel—flight crewmembers and air-
3.2.6.2 category—a level of patient care, relating to the
medical crewmembers who, by specialized training and certi-
capability of the aviation medical transport unit. There are
fication (as defined in Guide F 1229 or applicable FAA
three levels; basic life support, advanced life support, and
regulations) are currently qualified to carry out their assigned
specialized.
duties.
3.2.6.3 declared effective service range—the number of
3.2.2 Descriptions of Terms Relating to Vehicles:
nautical miles, without resupply of aviation or medical require-
3.2.2.1 fixed wing aircraft—aircraft that use a wing to fly.
ments, within which the fixed wing medical transport unit can
The wing is generally immovable. Jet engines or propellers
be expected to operate at full capacity. The two items can be
provide the required forward motion. A takeoff and landing roll
listed separately and, if more convenient, the medical limita-
is essential.
tions can be given in hours of available use.
3.2.2.2 medical transport vehicle—a vehicle that is capable
3.2.6.4 declared response time—the normal minimum num-
of meeting the standard for a medical transport unit if the
ber of minutes required between the initial notification of the
requisite personnel, equipment, and supplies are added. It does
medical mission and the liftoff of the air medical transport unit.
not include the personnel and the on board medical equipment
3.2.6.5 declared service area—the area designated by the
and supplies.
air ambulance provider where the fixed wing medical transport
3.2.3 Descriptions of Terms Relating to Patient Care
unit is operationally capable of response. There are usually no
Equipment—Patient care equipment is defined as that equip-
restrictions but if such exist they will be clearly indicated in the
ment related to the medical mission. It includes the following:
“Resources Catalog.”
3.2.3.1 permanently installed patient care equipment—
3.2.6.6 fixed wing advanced life support transport unit—a
designed to be used inside the aviation medical transport
unit that meets the standard described in this specification.
vehicle. It may be self contained or it may depend on the
3.2.6.7 fixed wing medical transport unit—a fixed wing
vehicle’s power source, or a combination of both.
medical transport vehicle, the transport personnel, and on
3.2.3.2 portable patient care equipment—self contained and
board equipment that meets the standard for the named
designed for use en route, at the pick-up point, and in transit.
category.
It implies being capable of being hand carried. Some items of
3.2.6.8 medical mission—an accepted medical flight from
portable patient care equipment may have the option of using
the initial notification to the completion or cancellation.
the vehicle’s sources of power and medical gases.
3.2.3.3 transportable patient care equipment—not necessar-
4. Classification
ily self-contained. It may be used en route if qualified for use
4.1 Air ambulance providers will use the title “Fixed Wing
in flight, and power and accessibility are available.
Advanced Life Support Transport Unit” to indicate that the
3.2.4 Descriptions of Terms Relating to Communications—
minimums contained in this specification have been met.
Airborne communication equipment consists of three groups,
depending on its primary function:
5. General Requirements
3.2.4.1 aviation communication equipment—equipment in-
5.1 The fixed wing advanced life support transport unit shall
stalled in the aircraft, used by the flight crew for traffic control,
consist of the medical transport vehicle, transport personnel,
navigation of the aircraft and receiving weather information.
and patient care equipment and supplies in accordance with
3.2.4.2 intercommunication equipment—equipment in-
this specification.
stalled in the aircraft, used by the transport personnel to
5.2 The three components must be licensed/certificated by
facilitate conversations between the flight crew and air-medical
the appropriate governmental authority. The air ambulance
crewmembers and, in some cases, with the patient.
provider is the individual or entity responsible for ensuring that
3.2.4.3 medical communication equipment—equipment in-
the following exist:
stalled in the aircraft, used by the transport personnel to
5.2.1 Current air ambulance license or certificate.
facilitate conversations between the air-medical crewmembers
5.2.2 Appropriate license or certificate for the aircraft under
and the emergency medical system in which they operate. It
applicable Federal Aviation regulations.
includes voice communication with selected medical control,
5.3 To comply with this specification, the fixed wing ad-
and with EMS systems dispatch centers. It can include equip-
vanced life support transport unit must be part of a designated
ment for the transmission of graphic data.
medical control system as described in Practice F 1149.
3.2.5 Description of Term Relating to Documentation:
5.4 The unit will have medical direction provided by a
3.2.5.1 National Air Medical Transport Units Resources medical director, as defined in Practice F 1149.
Catalog—the documents produced in accordance with the 5.5 The specific aircraft, personnel, equipment and supplies
F 1274
that have been licensed/certificated as a fixed wing advanced 6.3.1 A scale upon which to evaluate resources and capa-
life support transport unit will be available for the medical bilities.
mission as stated in the“ Resources Catalog.” The aircraft will 6.3.2 The incentive to improve the vehicle, personnel and
be configured to accept the personnel, equipment and supplies
medical components, to meet an acceptable standard of patient
as stated. The equipment and supplies listed in the “Resources care. This will include configuration, equipping, and training.
Catalog” may be in the aircraft or held in readiness, in an
6.3.3 A means of identifying inappropriate advertising.
airworthy condition, in a specific location. More than one team
6.3.4 Consistent criteria for correct performance and cost
and set of equipment and supplies may be provided for any
effective comparisons.
particular aircraft, in more than one location, providing they
each meet the standard specification criteria. The aircraft must
7. Personnel
have the equipment and supplies and air-medical personnel on
7.1 The minimum personnel requirement for the fixed wing
board prior to patient transport as an advanced life support
advanced life support transport until shall be the flight crew
transport unit.
and for each patient, one advanced life support air-medical
5.6 The air ambulance provider and medical director will
crewmember, with accommodation for a second attendant, as
complete the resources format (see Specification F 1118) and
required and defined in Guide F 1229.
submit it to the state EMS director (or equivalent official). The
7.1.1 Medical Director—Each program shall have a medi-
format will be updated annually and each time significant
cal director, as defined by Practice F 1149, under contract, to
changes to its content occur.
supervise the medical operation of the unit. This individual will
5.7 The fixed wing aircraft that responds to the medical
be responsible for the following:
mission as an advanced life support transport vehicle shall be
7.1.1.1 Assessing and accepting the mission. Once ac-
capable of performing as stated in the “Resources Catalog.”
cepted, the director will maintain overall supervision of the
5.8 The fixed wing advanced life support transport unit shall
mission.
be capable of transporting one supine patient and shall have
7.1.1.2 Ensuring that the correct configuration of the air-
sufficient space to allow the performance of medical treatment
craft, equipment, and supplies, has been arranged for the
at the advanced life support level, en route. At least one
mission.
advanced life support air-medical crewmember, as defined in
7.2 Flight Crewmember—The minimum flight crew for the
Guide F 1229, accompanies each patient and has access to the
fixed wing advanced life support transport until shall be the
patient at all times.
FAA flight crew requirement for the type of aircraft and the
5.9 When in the best interest of patient care, a decision has
flight plan parameters, under the applicable Federal Aviation
to be made that runs counter to this specification, a mission
regulations. The pilot shall be appropriately rated.
deviation will be recorded. Such a mission deviation from the
7.3 Air-Medical Crewmembers—The minimum air-medical
accepted medical norm will be regulated and disciplined by
crew for the fixed wing advanced life support transport unit
state, regional and local medical control. A written report will
shall be one advanced life support air-medical crewmember as
be made to the medical control point responsible for the units
defined by F30.02.01 in Guide F 1229, for each patient.
operation, within 24 h, describing the mission deviation, its
Accommodation for a second medical attendant, with access to
cause, and its impact.
the primary patient, will always be available.
5.10 The license/certification authority may accept and
7.3.1 In addition to the assigned medical duties, the senior
record transient deviations for a particular medical transport
air-medical crewmember on board shall be responsible to the
vehicle pending receipt of adequate equipment. Such transient
pilot for the in-flight security of the patient and the security of
deviations must be clearly documented in the “Resources
the medical equipment and supplies throughout the medical
Catalog,” together with the alt
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