ASTM F1187-91

Specification for Fixed Wing Specialized Medical Transport Units (Withdrawn 2000)

SCOPE
1.1 This specification pertains to fixed wing transport units involved in patient transportation and care, at the basic life support level. It outlines the minimum requirements, including personnel, and the patient care equipment and supplies, that must be met before the unit can be classified as a basic life support transport unit.
1.2 The specification describes: the minimum vehicle configuration and capability, the minimum number of seats for personnel, and the provisions for the minimum medical equipment and supplies.
1.3 Other specifications of Committee F-30 will apply.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-1990
• Withdrawal Date: 09-Feb-2000
• ICS: 83.140.99 - Other rubber and plastics products
• Technical Committee: F30 - Emergency Medical Services
• Drafting Committee: F30.01 - EMS Equipment

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1187 – 91
Standard Specification for
Fixed Wing Basic Life Support Transport Units
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1187; 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 first of the three fixed wing medical transport unit categories. It is
solely concerned with the minimum requirements for the fixed wing basic life support transport unit.
A unit, staffed and equipped as specified in this specification will be capable of meeting today’s
accepted standard of basic life support.
1. Scope Units Resources Catalog
F 1149 Practice for Qualifications, Responsibilities and Au-
1.1 This specification pertains to fixed wing transport units
thority of Individuals and Institutions Providing Medical
involved in patient transportation and care, at the basic life
Direction of Emergency Medical Services
support level. It outlines the minimum requirements, including
F 1177 Terminology Relating to Emergency Medical Ser-
personnel, and the patient care equipment and supplies, that
vices
must be met before the unit can be classified as a basic life
2 F 1219 Guide for Training the EMT (Basic) to perform
support transport unit.
Patient Primary Assessment
1.2 The specification describes: the minimum vehicle con-
F 1220 Guide for Emergency Medical Systems (EMSS)
figuration and capability, the minimum number of seats for
Telecommunications
personnel, and the provisions for the minimum medical equip-
F 1229 Guide for Establishing the Qualifications, Education
ment and supplies.
and Training of EMS Aeromedical Patient Care Providers
1.3 Other specifications of Committee F-30 will apply.
2.2 Other Document:
2. Referenced Documents
USARTL-TR-79-22D Aircraft Crash Survival Design
Guide
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F 1031 Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Tech-
3. Terminology
nician (Basic)
3.1 Definitions:
F 1118 Specification for National Air Medical Transport
3.1.1 Specific terms used throughout this specification are
defined in 3.2. Other applicable terms are contained in Termi-
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-30 on
nology F 1177.
Emergency Medical Services and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
F30.01 on EMS Equipment.Current edition approved April 1, 1991. Published June
3.2.1 Descriptions of Terms Relating to Personnel:
1991.
3.2.1.1 air ambulance provider—the individual or entity
Appendix X1Appendix X1 contains a list of documents that relate to medical
transportation.
that holds the license or certificate issued by the appropriate
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 13.01.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1187
governmental authority. The air ambulance provider is respon- includes voice communication with selected medical control,
sible for and manages the operation of the aviation medical and with EMS systems dispatch centers. It can include equip-
transport unit. ment for the transmission of graphic data.
3.2.5 Descriptions of Term Relating to Documentation:
3.2.1.2 air-medical crewmembers—transport personnel
3.2.5.1 national air medical transport units resources
whose primary function is to carry out the medical duties of the
catalog—the document produced in accordance with the for-
medical mission that has been accepted by an air medical
mat that is contained in Specification F 1118. The format is a
transport unit. They are qualified to perform the medical
guideline so that the catalog will contain standardized, com-
responsibilities of the mission to the standard established for
the designated air medical transport unit category (basic life parable data on existing aviation medical transport units. The
short title “Resources Catalog” may be used when the meaning
support, advanced life support or specialized).
is clear.
3.2.1.3 flight crewmembers—transport personnel whose pri-
3.2.6 Descriptions of Terms Related to the Mission:
mary function is to operate and navigate the aircraft under the
3.2.6.1 basic life support level—a level of patient care
specified conditions, in accordance with all the applicable
where all the skills required for basic life support can be
Federal Aviation Regulations. Flight crewmembers include
effectively applied at any time during the complete mission.
pilots, navigators, radio operators, and crew chiefs.
3.2.6.2 category—a level of patient care, relating to the
3.2.1.4 transport personnel—flight crewmembers and air-
capability of the aviation medical transport unit. There are
medical crewmembers who, by specialized training (as defined
three levels; basic life support, advanced life support, and
in Guide F 1229 or applicable FAA regulations) are currently
specialized.
qualified to carry out their assigned 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 basic life support transport unit—a unit
Designed to be used inside the aviation medical transport
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 neces-
4. Classification
sarily self-contained. It may be used en route if qualified for
4.1 Air ambulance providers will use the title “Fixed Wing
use in flight, and power and accessibility are available.
Basic Life Support Transport Unit” to indicate that the mini-
3.2.4 Descriptions of Terms Relating to Communications—
mums 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 basic 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.
F 1187
5.3 To comply with this specification, the fixed wing basic fixed wing medical transport unit will be able to provide a
life support transport unit must be part of a designated medical well-established level of basic patient care. The known mini-
control system as described in Practice F 1149. mum capability will improve mutual aid and increase the
5.4 The unit will have medical direction provided by a capability for improved cooperation throughout the nation.
medical director, as defined in Practice F 1149. 6.3 This specification will assist in the definition of appro-
5.5 The specific aircraft, personnel, equipment, and supplies priate care, increase public awareness of the high standard
that have been licensed/certificated as a fixed wing basic life available, and provide a nationally accepted guideline. It will
support transport unit will be available for the medical mission also provide the following:
as stated in the“ Resources Catalog.” The aircraft will be 6.3.1 A scale upon which to evaluate resources and capa-
configured to accept the personnel, equipment, and supplies as bilities.
stated. The equipment and supplies listed in the “Resources 6.3.2 The incentive to improve the vehicle, personnel and
Catalog” may be in the aircraft or held in readiness, in an medical components, to meet an acceptable standard of patient
airworthy condition, in a specific location. More than one team care. This will include configuration, equipping, and training.
and set of equipment and supplies may be provided for any 6.3.3 A means of identifying inappropriate advertising.
particular aircraft, in more than one location, providing they 6.3.4 Consistent criteria for correct performance and cost
each meet the standard specification criteria. The aircraft must effective comparisons.
have the equipment and supplies and air-medical personnel on
7. Personnel
board prior to patient transport as a basic life support transport
7.1 The minimum personnel requirement for the fixed wing
unit.
basic life support transport unit shall be the flight crew and for
5.6 The air ambulance provider and medical director will
complete the “Resources Format” (see Specification F 1118) each patient, one qualified air-medical crewmember, as defined
in Guide F 1229.
and submit it to the state EMS director (or equivalent official).
The format will be updated annually and each time significant 7.1.1 Medical Director—Each program shall have a medi-
cal director, as defined by Practice F 1149, under contract, to
changes to its content occur.
5.7 The fixed wing aircraft that responds to the medical supervise the medical operation of the unit. He will be
responsible for:
mission as a fixed wing basic life support transport vehicle
shall be capable of performing as stated in the “Resources 7.1.1.1 Assessing and accepting the mission. Once ac-
cepted, the director will maintain overall supervision of the
Catalog.”
mission.
5.8 The fixed wing basic life support transport unit shall be
7.1.1.2 Ensuring that the correct configuration of the air-
capable of transporting one supine patient and shall have
craft, equipment, and supplies, has been arranged for the
sufficient space to allow the performance of medical treatment
mission.
at the basic life support level, en route to definitive care. At
7.2 Flight Crewmember—The minimum flight crew for the
least one certificated air-medical crewmember, as defined in
fixed wing basic life support transport unit shall be the FAA
Guide F 1229, accompanies each patient and has access to the
flight crew requirement for the type of aircraft and the flight
patient at all times. Basic life support equipment and supplies
plan parameters under the applicable Federal Aviation Regu-
shall be carried on board, to be accessible for use during patient
lations. The pilot shall be appropriately rated.
transport and to provide emergency care at the pick-up point.
7.3 Air-Medical Crewmembers—The minimum air-medical
5.9 When in the best interest of patient care, a decision has
crew for the fixed wing basic life support transport unit shall be
to be made that runs counter to this specification, a mission
deviation will be recorded. Such a mission deviation from the one currently certificated air-medical crewmember as defined
by F30.02.01 in Guide F 1229, for each patient.
accepted medical norm will be regulated and disciplined by
state, regional, and local medical control. A written report will 7.3.1 In addition to the assigned medical duties, the senior
air-m
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