So... HEMS folks

Shishkabob

Shishkabob

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I know many flight medics are very touchy about people going near the rear of the chopper, and how many people don't do hot loads partly/mainly becuase of this reason. This leads to my question:



Why don't we have more of these?

370851765_ca29ee0d77.jpg




Granted I'm not saying "Let's load everyone while the blades be a spinnin!", but I seriously do wonder why more HEMS don't have enclosed tail rotors. Is there something I'm missing?
 
Even with an enclosed tail rotor it is a HUGE safety issue!

No one ever goes near the tail except for the crew (on craft where it is a rear load).

The pilot is in control, he must have eyes on everyone, therefore if you are in the rear, he can not see you.
 
Agreed on all accounts, and I'm not really one to advocate for hot loads. I was just wondering why there aren't more enclosed rotors, as it would drastically increase the safety, would it not? As the blade is no longer "invisible", it's enclosed in a spot where you know exactly where it is at all times.
 
I think all of our local HEMS have the enclosed tail rotors, but I'm not 100% sure.

I wonder if it is just a matter of what makes/models of heilos the company's already had and whether they can be retrofitted or not.

I remember doing hot loads....that is definitely one of those experiences that you don't ever forget.
 
Aidey said:
I remember doing hot loads....that is definitely one of those experiences that you don't ever forget.
Click to expand...

This struck me as very funny, sorry.

I really cant stop laughing, thank you I needed that. :)

And I apologise for the moment of imaturity.
 
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh-kw3DOIgk&feature=related[/youtube]
I really couldn't help myself on this one...
 
Ok, I have to ask, why is that so funny?

I have minimal interaction with HEMS now, but for the first 4-5 years of my career I worked in a rural area and had a lot of interaction with them, including doing quite a few hot loads. I'm reminiscing a bit because I have a feeling that they are going the way of the dinosaur with changing safety laws and whatnot.

Edit: I watched that ER episode as a rerun - meaning I had done hot loads before I ever saw it. If I had seen it before hand I'm not sure you would have ever gotten me near a helicopter.
 
Even those enclosed fans are a problem. Put your hand up to stabilize yourself and your hand/arm gets chopped (diced?) off. Probably the safer option is a NOTAR equipped helo. I've done a few hot loads and unloads myself... and I do NOT want to go anywhere near the tail.
 
Im sorry it was just the way I read it, just struck me as funny its been a long week.
 
Fenestron tail rotors like on some of the Eurocopter airframes and NOTAR tail rotors like you find on the MD airframe do have a safety advantage over the standard open tail rotor systems.

A few of the disadvantages I have heard from pilots are loss of tail rotor authority (sluggish pedal control), higher maintenance cost, and added weight and resistance of the tail enclosure to name a few.

Also, I will look for the data, but incidents of people walking into tail rotors, especially on most of the models used by EMS are rather low I believe. Well trained ground crews combined with well designed airframes that have the tail rotor above 6 feet have reduced instances of bystander injury.

Working around helicopters is always inherently higher risk than ground ambulances, but with proper training we can alleviate most issues.
 
Aidey said:
Ok, I have to ask, why is that so funny?
Click to expand...

Are you female?

You missed the joke big time...I thought it was hilarious.
 
:rolleyes:

Men are pigs.

:P
 
Oink Oink!
 
God I LOL'd so hard. I love coming to this forum improves me as a paramedic ;) :P
 
I hate you all.

Isn't there a rule about keeping threads on track?
 
Linuss said:
I know many flight medics are very touchy about people going near the rear of the chopper, and how many people don't do hot loads partly/mainly becuase of this reason. This leads to my question:



Why don't we have more of these?

370851765_ca29ee0d77.jpg




Granted I'm not saying "Let's load everyone while the blades be a spinnin!", but I seriously do wonder why more HEMS don't have enclosed tail rotors. Is there something I'm missing?
Click to expand...

One reason and one reason alone. $$$
 
Life flights here don't have enclosed rotors. 1. Because it's expensive 2. Not nearly as efficient...Come to think of it, the life flight helicopters are a Huey helicopters lol but hey, it works at this high altitude. ^_^
 
Our local service just switched to the EC-135 (Closed rotor) and a BH 407 from the Bell 412 (Open rotor). I don't think the decision was made because of the rotor. I believe it was more related to fuel costs. When I flew in the Bell 412, we could have 2 patients and I could handle them great from the AFT facing seat. The patient could be loaded from either side. The EC-135 is a smaller rear-loading chopper. The BH 407 has an open rotor and the ability to hold multiple patients.

We have a program in place called, "Tail Watch" in which someone with LZ Command Training on scene or our Pilot is always positioned toward the rear of the chopper to stop anyone from approaching.
 
Here not only is loading/unloading not done with rotors turning unless absolutely necessary (some scene calls) but no one approaches the craft until and unless directed by the flight crew. At that point they'll usually be escorted.

The rotors on the choppers are not enclosed. ORNGE flies the Sikorsky S-76.
 
WolfmanHarris said:
Here not only is loading/unloading not done with rotors turning unless absolutely necessary (some scene calls) but no one approaches the craft until and unless directed by the flight crew. At that point they'll usually be escorted.

The rotors on the choppers are not enclosed. ORNGE flies the Sikorsky S-76.
Click to expand...

It is a general rule of thumb that I stay in direct view of the pilot. The pilot will give the ok when it is alright to approach the air craft.
 
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