Photo By Lt. Col. Robert Cousebaker | Senior Airman David Francis, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, attaches a medical...... read more read more
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TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Critical care air transport teams practiced transporting critically ill patients on a C-130J Super Hercules during 349th Air Mobility Wing Air Force Specialty Code training June 6, 2015, at Travis Air Force Base, California.
In preparation for the training, the 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron transformed the four-engine tactical transport into a flying hospital. In turn, the CCATT teams from the 60th Surgical Operations Squadron and the 349th Aeromedical Staging Squadron established onboard what was essentially a portable intensive care unit dedicated to one very ill, simulated, "patient."
"This was a great foundation for future exercises where active-duty and Reservists train like we deploy," said Senior Master Sgt. Danielle Romero, the Air Force Reserve Command cardiopulmonary laboratory technician functional manager and CCATT subject-matter expert.
Romero was one of the Air Force Reservists, seasoned by multiple combat deployments on CCATT teams, who shared strategies, tips and advice with a newly formed, active-duty team and Reserve teams in development.
Parts of the training included discussions on advanced medical procedures by the seasoned providers, many of whom work full time in hospital emergency departments and ICUs. Other parts were the sharing of simple tips learned through real-world experiences.
The plastic patient simulator in the scenario played the role of a gravely ill wounded warrior, one who could not stay alive without life support equipment, medication and the constant monitoring of an experienced physician, a critical care nurse and a cardiopulmonary technician.
"When you have a stabilized patient at altitude, change isn't good," said Col. Jim Dolan, a surgeon with the 349th ASTS.
In-flight variations in air pressure, g-forces and temperature can affect the delicate vital signs of a patient balanced on the edge of life.
"The ideal missions are the boring ones, where patients stay stabilized," Romero said.
Participants spoke about added training value provided by the C-130J from the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, California.
"The C-130 was huge for this training," said Capt. Mikaela Rogstad, a critical care nurse with the 349th ASTS.
"It's what a CCATT team is most likely going to see downrange, but we never get to train on them at Travis," she said.
The training culminated with an engine-running offload, as is commonly practiced on aeromedical evacuation missions downrange. With the four turboprop engines still turning, it is loud and hot in the prop blast behind the aircraft.
"This was a great opportunity, particularly for new fliers, to experience the logics of offloading patients and equipment in the environment of C-130 ERO," said Maj. Vincent Alipio, a veteran flight nurse with the 349th AES. "I really like the 130: it's a workhorse," he said.
Advances in battlefield medical care, aeromedical evacuation and CCATT capabilities have resulted in unprecedented survival rates for wounded warriors.
"There are a lot of moving pieces in in-route patient care. When we work together it means success for our patients," Romero said.
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2015 15:05 |
| Story ID: | 166140 |
| Location: | TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 196 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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