Criteria for putting helicopter on standby

Note – Helicopters take 10 minutes to pre-flight and warm up prior to departure. Our area is approximately 20 minutes from 3 helicopter bases. Early notification to KCF-415 of the possible need for a helicopter will improve response time. Because of our remoteness, it is likely a helicopter will launch while on “standby”.

After placing a helicopter on standby, IC must follow through with an evaluation of the patient and either request the helicopter to the scene or tell the helicopter to stand down.

Standby criteria are based on mechanism of injury. Do not use these as guidelines for continuing the helicopter. Refer to separate criteria for that.

1. Death in the same compartment
2. Extrication > 20 minutes
3. Vehicle collision with > 12inch intrusion
4. Motorcycle, ATV, bicycle collision > 20 mph
5. Starred windshield
6. Fall > 20ft
7. Roll Over & Unrestrained occupant
8. Vehicle vs pedestrian/bicycle

Special Use

1. No Advanced Life Support (ALS) available in the area and ALS needed
2. Mass Causality Incidenty (MCI) (it is permitted to put one helicopter on standby for each apparent critical patient)
   1. As patients are evaluated, cancel or proceed helicopters appropriately.