Patient Transporting • Throttle training • Braking training • Cornering • Driving Emergencies
Transporting the Patient to Medical Aid Percentage of runs that are life threatening.
5% Create a stable platform.
Minimize G’ forces. Give patient and your partner the most efficient ride you can!
Adjustments to Acceleration when Transporting a Patient • Acceleration becomes the enemy. • Patients & partners feel the G’load. • Most amount of G’load created when starting from a standstill. • Spread acceleration rate over greater distance. • Imagine a large cup of coffee.
Adjustments to Braking when Transporting a Patient • Vehicle can stop three times faster than it can accelerate. • High forward G’load can be created under braking. • Start your braking sooner and use a softer touch to minimize strain on patient and partner. • Let partners in back know about corners, etc., when driving Code-3!
Adjustments to Cornering when transporting a patient • Same cornering techniques apply. • Start your braking sooner. • Slow down and drive through the corner at a reduced rate of speed. • Slower rate of acceleration leaving the corner . • Be more sensitive to G’forces.
Patient dictates technique • Remember, the patient’s condition dictates the type of transport. • If patient is stable there is NO need to drive faster than road conditions permit. • If the patient is critical, then your crew and equipment is not secure… • Give them a ride that allows them to perform their skills safely!
Multi-Tasking • Limit your exposure • If dispatch attempts you as you approach an intersection or other hazardous situation, only answer after clearing. • MDT use by Captain or right front passenger while vehicle is in motion.
Round-a-bouts • No crown to the surface, the center of the road-a-bout is the crown, thus… • Your vehicle turning throws the patient out of the gurney and into the lap of the tech., • Slow down in the turn, • Accelerate after you straighten out of the turn.
Code-3 Patient Driving • Second patients on bench-seats are positioned feet toward the front! Why? • In a heavy braking scenario, the patient’s entire body weight X 3 (head/neck) will come to rest against the console...So, • Strap the patient down to the bench-seat, and feet face toward the front!