Aviation Safety and Survival Flashcards

During a pre-flight check for a rotor-wing transport, the Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) identifies a frayed but intact patient seatbelt. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action?

Answer: Notify the pilot-in-command and take the aircraft out of service until the seatbelt is replaced.

Aviation safety is paramount and operates on a principle of zero tolerance for equipment defects that could compromise safety. A frayed seatbelt is a significant safety risk and must be addressed before flight. The pilot-in-command has the ultimate authority and responsibility for the aircraft's airworthiness and must be notified immediately. The aircraft should be taken out of service until maintenance can properly replace the compromised equipment.

A flight crew has survived a helicopter crash in a remote, wooded area. The crew members are mobile and have sustained only minor injuries. After exiting the aircraft and ensuring the scene is safe from immediate fire risk, what is the next priority according to survival principles?

Answer: Activate the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) and remain with the aircraft.

In a post-crash scenario, the top priority after ensuring immediate safety is to facilitate rescue. Activating the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) is critical as it sends a distress signal that allows rescue teams to pinpoint the location. Remaining with the aircraft is advised because the aircraft is a much larger and more visible target for search and rescue teams from the air than individuals are.

The flight team is preparing to land at an unsecured scene of a motor vehicle accident at night. Which of the following communications from the ground crew would be most critical for the CFRN to confirm with the pilot prior to final approach?

Answer: The presence of any overhead wires or obstructions near the landing zone.

While all information is useful, confirming the absence of hazards in the landing zone (LZ) is the most critical safety priority. Overhead wires, poles, trees, and uneven terrain pose a significant and immediate threat to the aircraft and crew, especially during a night landing. The pilot must be aware of all potential obstructions to land safely.

A CFRN is transporting a combative, intoxicated patient who requires restraints. During a period of turbulence, the patient becomes increasingly agitated. Which concept of crew resource management (CRM) is most important for the nurse to utilize first?

Answer: Communication, by clearly stating the situation and need for assistance to the other crew members.

Effective crew resource management hinges on clear, direct communication. In this scenario, the nurse's first action should be to communicate the problem to the entire team (pilot and other medical crew). This ensures everyone is aware of the safety threat, can anticipate needs, and can contribute to a solution, such as having the other medical crew member assist or preparing for a potential diversion.

Which of the following represents the MOST significant physiological danger to a patient with a pneumothorax being transported by air medical services, especially during ascent?

Answer: Development of a tension pneumothorax due to gas expansion.

According to Boyle's Law, as an aircraft ascends and atmospheric pressure decreases, the volume of gas in an enclosed space will expand. For a patient with a pneumothorax, this means the trapped air in the pleural space will expand, potentially converting a simple pneumothorax into a life-threatening tension pneumothorax by compressing the heart and great vessels.

In the event of an in-flight fire that cannot be immediately extinguished, the flight crew's immediate and overriding priority is to:

Answer: Land the aircraft as soon as possible, even if it is an off-airport landing.

An uncontrolled in-flight fire is one of the most critical emergencies in aviation. The primary, immediate priority is to get the aircraft on the ground as quickly and safely as possible. The risk of structural failure, smoke inhalation, or explosion is catastrophic. All other considerations, including patient destination, become secondary to the survival of everyone on board.