Landing Zone Preparation and Safety
The following guidelines should be utilized when selecting and preparing a safe landing zone.
- 100' by 100' relatively level area day or night.
- What effect is the rotorwash going to have on the area surrounding the LZ?
- Is there any loose debris from the accident scene in close proximity to the LZ?
- Ensure there are no overhead wires or obstructions in the LZ.
- Inform any hazards near the LZ to the flight crew prior to arrival.
- Keep bright lights from shining directly at the aircraft.
- If the LZ is very dusty, the use of a jump-line to wet down the area will minimize any possible brown-out conditions when the aircraft is landing.
- Indicate wind direction when possible.
- LZ must be upwind of fires and HAZMAT scenes.
- Protect the patient and yourselves from blowing debris and rotorwash.
Five minutes prior to Lifestar arriving at the scene, they will attempt to establish air-to-ground communication with the LZ-Commander. Once communication is established, the following three questions are going to be asked by Lifestar:
- What is the location of the LZ in relation to
the accident
scene?
Example response: "Lifestar, your LZ is in the south-bound lane of I-55, south of the accident scene." - What are the LZ hazards?
Example response: "Lifestar, you have tall power-lines running parallel to the LZ on the west side. You have an unlit cell phone tower a quarter of a mile to the north." - Is the LZ secure?
Example response: "Lifestar, your LZ is secure."
It is also helpful to alert Lifestar when you have them in sight. For example: "Lifestar, we have you in sight two miles to our northeast."
Safety precautions after Lifestar has landed
- Do not bring the patient to the helicopter, the medical team will come to you.
- Remain clear of tail rotor at all times.
- Always approach the helicopter from the front, within full view of the pilot.
- Keep all vehicles, personnel and bystanders back at least 100 feet.
- Never approach aircraft unless instructed to by a crewmember.
- Do not attempt to open or close aircraft doors.
- Do not assist crew in loading patient unless requested.
- Never raise anything above your head near the helicopter.
- Follow crew's instructions at all times.
