A-Star

[Cher Gieseking]

Med crew seats are rear, left and right, with a small space between for the
vent, gloves, etc, etc.  Monitor is on a bracket/shelf above the patient's
legs (at the front).

Weight limitations are a serious issue, especially with the ever-increasing
average weight of people.  Prior to the install of our "B2 upgrade", we had
to run at about 48% max on the fuel to provide even a minimum "off-the-pad"
weight.

Even with the bird upgraded to handle more weight, we still have the
stretcher weight limit (325lb), and you have to cram a wide patient into a
relatively narrow space between the radio stack/pilot's half wall, and the
door.  If you can wedge them in there and push the door closed, you have to
pick their arm up to let the BP cuff cycle, etc, etc.

It is very fortunate that the vast majority of our patients are rather short
for their weight - and even then we cannot load and secure even a short
person with a standard traction splint.  

Unless the patient is extremely short, the top of their head is at the level
of the right ("airway") seat front, so it is a physical impossibility to
visualize/intubate, etc because of the angle the patient is at (top of the
head in the right-seat person's crotch).
 
One of the most constraining aircraft I've used.  Acceptable for load and
go, impossible to safely do just about anything else enroute except grabbing
the patient's hand to start an IV, or bagging them.  Impossible to do
compressions unless you totally unbuckle and have your partner hold you so
you don't go sailing out if you hit turbulence. 


-----Original Message-----
From: flightmed-bounces at flightweb.com
[mailto:flightmed-bounces at flightweb.com] On Behalf Of John T
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 5:19 PM
To: Flightmed
Subject: A-Star


Anybody care to share their experiences in the A-Star for aeromedical
transport?  In particular . . .     1. How are you configured? 'Airway' seat
RIGHT at the patients head with another in either center or far right, or
center and right?     2. Flying heavy patients.  I think we get the corn-fed
best around here.     3. Flying tall, trauma patients.  There appears to a
real length issue with the 'airway' seat configuration.  Like anything over
6'.     4. Does it feel like you're in the back seat caring for a patient in
the front seat; probably more severe in the 'airway' seat
configuration.Thanks!John
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