Alaska Guide School: Helicopter Rescue

During the helicopter rescue portion of the course, you will practice the techniques outlined in the Alaska Heliskiing's safety plan. These techniques will include preparing the helicopter to transport patients from the backcountry to the nearest medical facility. Throughout the course, you will become familiar with the safety and rescue equipment that will be in the helicopter at all times. In the field training will concentrate on preparing a rescue site in the mountains and participants will learn how to coordinate with helicopter pilot, ground crews, and the rescue headquarters at Alaska Heliskiing's base of operations.

*One day of the guide school will be dedicated to helicopter rescue consisting of a morning classroom instruction followed by in the field training with the helicopter that afternoon. Classroom instruction will outline the procedures to be followed during an actual rescue as outlined in the safety plan . Mock rescues will be performed during in the field training and particular attention to the details of the safety plan must be demonstrated.

HELICOPTER RESCUE COURSE DESCRIPTION
There will be a mock rescue with each group during a heliski day.

Communication

• Notify other groups in the field
• Maintain communication with base throughout rescue
• Contact local authorities and rescue personel agencies
• Appoint Scribe

Scene size-up and patient assessment

• Determine scene safety
• patient assessments
• initial treatment
• rescue reuirements

Rescue Equipment

• First Aid
• High Angle/crevasse Rescue
• Avalanche Rescue

Treatment and Packaging for transport

• Secondary treatment and administration of first aid
• Stabilize injury and prepare for transport

Evacuation

• Transport patient fo pick-up zone
• Prepare rescue landing site and call for helicopter transport
• Load patient into helicopter and depart

Accident Debriefing

• Fill out accident report forms
• collect statements from observers
• Staff meeting to discuss accident and rescue
• Formal statement prepared

• Preface
• Introduction
• Level I Helicopter Guide
• Wilderness Advanced First Aid
• Avalanche I
• Crevasse and Rope Rescue I
• Helicopter Rescue
• Level II Helicopter Guide
• Avalanche II
• Wilderness First Responder
• Reservations and Rates