|
General Medical Officer (GMO) Manual: Clinical Section
Aeromedical Mishap Investigation
Department of the Navy
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Background
|
As the physician aboard an air-capable ship you will deploy
with an assigned air detachment, but without a flight surgeon. While deployed, if you are
confronted by an aircraft mishap on your ship, you must be prepared to treat casualties
and assist in gathering information for the flight surgeon appointed to the team
investigating the aircraft mishap. |
This is a SH-60B Seahawk that has crashed onboard
the flight deck of an FFG |
Immediate Post-mishap Duties
-
Care of survivors is the first priority.
-
Draw appropriate labs: (See (4) serum blood drawing.)
-
Do physical exams. The services have agreed that the first FS (GMO in
this case) on a mishap scene, or the one to whom mishap victims are brought, shall
immediately perform examinations and laboratory procedures required by the flight
surgeon’s service.
-
Perform radiological studies as clinically indicated. After all ejections
and mishaps resulting in personnel with suspected back injuries, full spinal x-rays are
required.
-
Document aircraft-deceased relationships at the mishap site before the
remains are moved. Use of photography or sketching the site and relationships are very
helpful during mishap investigation board deliberations.
-
Obtain taped statements and interviews from each member of the aircrew
(and possibly air traffic controllers or plane captains, etc., as appropriate) recounting
the mishap from brief to rescue.
-
Begin interviewing witnesses.
-
Distribute and explain the 72-hour history forms.
-
Impound the medical and dental records.
-
Impound flight equipment.
-
Issue Grounding Notices (NAVMED 6410/1; the " Down Chit").
Other Duties
-
Ascertain injuries and determine the injury codes for the Mishap
Investigation Report and Flight Surgeon’s report, known officially as the Aeromedical
Analysis (AA).
-
Coordinate with the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) at (202)
782-2100 or DSN 662-2100 for the autopsy.
-
With deceased personnel, obtain full body x-rays in and out of flight
equipment with emphasis on hands, feet, head, and neck (AP and lateral). Order special
views whenever indicated.
-
Submit lab specimens to AFIP as appropriate.
-
Collect the 72-hour history forms for use in the Aeromedical Analysis.
-
Maintain close followup with those involved to monitor any changes in
their medical condition and to obtain further elaboration on the mishap events.
-
Be sensitive to the psychological trauma a mishap may inflict on all,
including those participating in remains recovery; counsel or refer, as appropriate.
-
Participate fully in the AMB investigation until the flight surgeon
arrives.
-
Initiate completion of the Aeromedical Analysis.
-
For assistance as needed, contact or message the Commands:
Naval Safety Center Aeromedical division: (757) 444-3520
COMNAVAIRPAC: (619) 545-1148
COMNAVAIRLANT force medical: (757) 444-7028/29
Survivor blood drawing
In all Class A and B mishaps, and when deemed necessary in Class C
mishaps, collect blood and urine of survivors.
AFIP requests that the following specimens be collected:
-
Serum: 14 to 20 ml (no preservatives, red top) blood: 14-20 ml
(Sodium fluoride, gray top) 14 to 20 ml (EDTA, lavender top).
-
Urine: 70 ml is optimum (no preservatives).
However, as a practical guide, as soon as possible after a mishap
collect the following laboratory samples from each of the aircrew (as well as anyone else
who may have been a factor in the mishap). Prepare the skin with betadine or soap and
water. Do not use alcohol swabs
|
2 – 3 red tops |
2 gray tops |
|
2 lavender tops |
100 ml of urine |
Sample analysis
|
Locally run |
AFIP run |
Held frozen > 90 days |
|
serum glucose |
ETOH level |
Drug screen |
|
CBC |
CO level |
|
|
UA (rout.
& micro) (SMA-18) |
Drug screen |
|
|
1 gray top |
1 gray top |
|
|
1 lavender
top |
1 lavender
top |
|
|
Urine + (1
red top) (serum) |
1 red top
(serum)+ 70 ml urine |
1 red top
(serum)+ 10 ml urine |
References
-
The Naval Flight Surgeon’s Pocket Reference to Aircraft Mishap
Investigation, 4th Ed, 1995
-
The Naval Flight Surgeon’s Handbook, 2nd Ed, 1998, The
Society of U.S. Naval Flight Surgeons
-
The Naval Flight Surgeon’s Manual 3rd Ed, 1991, NAMI
Revised by CAPT Charles O. Barker, MC, USN, MED-23, Bureau of
Medicine and Surgery, Washington, D.C. (1999).
Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited.
The listing of any non-Federal product in this CD is not an
endorsement of the product itself, but simply an acknowledgement of the source.
Operational Medicine 2001
Health Care in Military Settings
Bureau of Medicine and
Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300 |
Operational
Medicine
Health Care in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMED P-5139
January 1, 2001 |
United States Special Operations Command
7701 Tampa Point Blvd.
MacDill AFB, Florida
33621-5323 |
This web version is provided by
The Brookside Associates Medical Education
Division. It contains original contents from the official US Navy
NAVMED P-5139, but has been reformatted for web access and includes advertising
and links that were not present in the original version. This web version has
not been approved by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.
The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an
endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or
the Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates is a private organization,
not affiliated with the United States Department of Defense.
Contact Us · ·
Other
Brookside Products
|
