with the aviators Alaska Air National Guard He raced towards time and overcame robust winds to medically evacuate a pregnant lady in misery on December 24.
On Christmas Eve, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Heart obtained a misery name from the Alaska Native Medical Heart as a result of civilian air ambulances have been unable to medically evacuate a affected person experiencing being pregnant problems on the clinic in Shaktoolik, about 52 miles northwest of Unalakleet.
“Crosswinds on the unattended, gravel runway and surrounding airports at Shaktoolik have been excessive winds exceeding 35 knots,” mentioned Main Paul Rouenhorse, the mission’s search and rescue officer. “Whereas this exceeds the climate limitations for a civilian air ambulance, the HH-60 is able to hovering and touchdown safely in extraordinarily excessive winds.”
The AKRCC coordinated with the 176th Wing to dispatch the 211th Rescue Squadron. HC-130J War King II and the 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Falcon Helicopter with the 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angel crew. There have been two paratroopers on every airplane.
“The ANMC reported that the affected person was shedding blood, so we instantly contacted our mission help crew to coordinate a blood draw from 673d Medical Group,” mentioned the Senior Grasp Sergeant. Christopher Bowerfind, chief paratroopers on obligation.
En path to Shaktoolik, the HC-130 refueled the helicopter in mid-air and supplied climate reconnaissance till the HH-60 landed.
The rescue crew and medical employees supplied the girl on the clinic with intravenous fluids and the important blood transfusion protocol.
“That is the primary time a blood transfusion has been utilized to help Alaska civilian search and rescue missions of the 212th Rescue Squadron,” Bowerfind mentioned.
After it’s decided that the affected person is secure and the bleeding has decreased, Guardian angel The crew ready for transplantation whereas persevering with to donate blood and monitor vitals.
In the meantime, HC-130 flew to Unalakleet to survey the positioning for a potential transhipment location. The crew determined that the crosswinds have been too robust and McGrath can be safer.
“at the moment [Guardian Angel] The crew moved the affected person to Pave Hawk, the crew confirmed the winds and reported a headwind of 70 knots to JBER,” Rouenhorse mentioned. “This confirms our choice to move sufferers at an airport west of the mountain vary.”
The HC-130 is quicker and might fly over terrain the place the HH-60 must navigate slower.
At McGrath, the Guardian Angel crew transferred the affected person to the HC-130 and JBER. The affected person was dropped off in an Anchorage Hearth Division ambulance and brought to ANMC on Christmas morning.
“This mission was really a type of ‘solely in Alaska’ moments,” Bowerfind mentioned. “The entire village was surrounded by the affected person’s household when he got here to supply assist; From transportation between helicopter and automobile to secure motion on ice. It actually wants a village.”
For this mission, AK RCC obtained credit score for a rescue of RQS 210, RQS 211 and 212.
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