MEDICAL ISSUES AND RISK MITIGATION Jonathan Clark For Felix Baumgartner’s safety, medical teams in Mission Control, in the field and in the air coordinated closely, following specially developed procedures and protocols that had been years in preparation. This paper summarizes information presented by Dr. Jonathan B. Clark, MD, MPH, who is on faculty at the Department of Neurology and the Center for Space Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. As medical director for Red Bull Stratos, Clark led the medical teams overall and spearheaded planning and development of the mission’s medical protocols and procedures.
Clark opened his presentation by describing his experience on the Red Bull Stratos mission: “cutting-edge technology and inspiring minds – the brightest minds I have ever had the honor of working with.” MISSION MEDICAL OBJECTIVES • • • • •
To assure Baumgartner’s health during all mission phases To provide medical and safety expertise in planning and implementing procedures, training and integrated testing of support systems To provide medical expertise for pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight phases To coordinate and assist EMS support at landing sites To evaluate physiologic, scientific and medical data
Sharing the stage with Clark were Dr. Rebecca Blue, who was the medical lead for ground-based recovery forces, and Dr. Matt Turney, the lead for airborne recovery. The overall medical roster, encompassing both personnel on site in Roswell and off-site personnel who contributed to planning and development, includes:
Red Bull Stratos Scientific Summit
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