TheAvatar
Contributor
So here is a hypothetical that I've been wondering about for a while:
Hypothetical 1:
Diver takes a hit at 9000ft ASL.
Nearest clinic 1: 10 minutes to a Level IV trauma "hospital" (read 24 beds total most of them ED) with no extended care at 9050ft often with a small unpressurized helicopter often based there.
Alternate clinic 2: 50 minutes to even smaller "hospital" at 7350ft (downhill all the way) with airport within 5 minutes capable of pressurized fixed wing medevac (nearest airport to incident).
Nearest chamber: Major hospital 5300ft 1.5+hr away by ambulance from Clinic 1 (2+hr from Clinic 2) over mountains with peak elevation ~11,000ft (~30 minutes from either clinic via unpressurized helicopter peaking at at least 13,000ft).
What is the best method to transport the patient (weather and asset permitting)?
Clinic 1-Ambulance-Hospital?
Clinic 1-Helicopter-Hospital?
Clinic 2-Fixed Wing-Helicopter/Ambulance-Hospital?
Something else?
Second hypothetical:
Diver takes a hit at 8300ft ASL.
Nearest clinic 3: 20 minutes to a small medical center 8000ft with airport within 5 minutes capable of pressurized fixed wing medevac (nearest airport to incident).
Alternate clinic 2 (from above): 50 minutes to similar "hospital" at 7350ft with airport within 5 minutes capable of pressurized fixed wing medevac.
Nearest chamber: Major hospital 5300ft 1.5+hr away by ambulance from Clinic 3 (2+hr from Clinic 2) over mountains with peak elevations 11,315ft (~30 minutes from either clinic via unpressurized helicopter peaking at at least 12,000ft).
Fixed wing aircraft are not based at sending airports. Additional helicoptors near receiving hospital. Clinics 1,2,3 personell see HAPE, HACE, AMS not DCS or AGE.
What transport method in that case?
I know there are a lot of variables here but I'd be interested to hear some thoughts/answers.
Hypothetical 1:
Diver takes a hit at 9000ft ASL.
Nearest clinic 1: 10 minutes to a Level IV trauma "hospital" (read 24 beds total most of them ED) with no extended care at 9050ft often with a small unpressurized helicopter often based there.
Alternate clinic 2: 50 minutes to even smaller "hospital" at 7350ft (downhill all the way) with airport within 5 minutes capable of pressurized fixed wing medevac (nearest airport to incident).
Nearest chamber: Major hospital 5300ft 1.5+hr away by ambulance from Clinic 1 (2+hr from Clinic 2) over mountains with peak elevation ~11,000ft (~30 minutes from either clinic via unpressurized helicopter peaking at at least 13,000ft).
What is the best method to transport the patient (weather and asset permitting)?
Clinic 1-Ambulance-Hospital?
Clinic 1-Helicopter-Hospital?
Clinic 2-Fixed Wing-Helicopter/Ambulance-Hospital?
Something else?
Second hypothetical:
Diver takes a hit at 8300ft ASL.
Nearest clinic 3: 20 minutes to a small medical center 8000ft with airport within 5 minutes capable of pressurized fixed wing medevac (nearest airport to incident).
Alternate clinic 2 (from above): 50 minutes to similar "hospital" at 7350ft with airport within 5 minutes capable of pressurized fixed wing medevac.
Nearest chamber: Major hospital 5300ft 1.5+hr away by ambulance from Clinic 3 (2+hr from Clinic 2) over mountains with peak elevations 11,315ft (~30 minutes from either clinic via unpressurized helicopter peaking at at least 12,000ft).
Fixed wing aircraft are not based at sending airports. Additional helicoptors near receiving hospital. Clinics 1,2,3 personell see HAPE, HACE, AMS not DCS or AGE.
What transport method in that case?
I know there are a lot of variables here but I'd be interested to hear some thoughts/answers.