Safety

 

Introduction

It is a requirement that at least two people are in attendance for each movement of aircraft and these persons must have appropriate training in rescue, fire fighting and first aid.

Given the nature of our club, it is sometimes the case that there are very few people present during flying activities, and since we do not have a full time emergency team it is imperative that every member of the club is familiar with rescue, fire fighting and first aid procedures.

This document should be considered as a guide and not as complete training in itself.

SECTION 1.

Rescue Procedures

Aircraft Accident:

  1. Decide who is in charge. Stay calm. Remain in the operations room to co-ordinate the response.
  2. Instruct available competent personnel to go to the scene of the accident and provide assistance using the Club`s Emergency Response Vehicle which contains rescue, fire and first aid equipment.
  3. Plot the location of the accident on the airfield crash map. Note access point for emergency services.
  4. Dial 999 say "aircraft accident at Coonagh" & ask for Ambulance and Fire services.
  1. Call other agencies as appropriate (numbers beside the telephone in ops room).

Fire/Explosion in Hanger or Buildings.

  1. Evacuate immediately.
  2. Call the Fire Brigade.
  3. Use fire extinguishers if there is no risk of personal injury - Do not be a burnt hero.
  4. Switch off electrical power to the building/installation, if possible without risk of personal injury.

List of Rescue Equipment

(in Emergency Response Vehicle)

  1. Grappling hook and cable
  2. Large axe
  3. Fireman`s axe
  4. Wood saw
  5. Hacksaw
  6. Pickaxe
  7. Sledge hammer
  8. Bolt cutters
  9. Fire resistant blanket
  10. 15 metres of rope
  11. Pliers
  12. Screwdrivers (plain & cross head)
  13. Adjustable spanner
  14. Crowbar with claw tool
  15. Metal cutters
  16. Shovel
  17. Stanley-type knife for cutting harness
  18. Gloves and protective clothing
  19. Surgical Gloves


Section 2.

Fire Fighting

Fire Extinguishers

There are 2 types of fire extinguisher at the club, Dry Powder (sometimes called ABC Powder) and foam.

There are two wheeled units in the hanger which should be outside during aircraft movements, one 45Kg of Foam, the other 27.5Kg Dry Powder.

There are also 3 Dry Powder & 1 Foam extinguisher in the hanger at the fire point.

1Foam and 1 Dry Powder in the ops room.

1 Foam in the club house.

In addition to this each plane is equipped with a small 1Kg Dry Powder within easy reach of the pilot.

Fire Fighting

It takes three things to start a fire Oxygen, Heat, and Fuel, removing any one of these will extinguish the fire. Fire extinguishers work by removing the Oxygen and/or the heat.

The Dry Powder extinguishers are most effective in putting out the fire. The Foam type are not as effective at putting out the fire, but they do help cool down the burnt material, and form a blanket of foam over the area, eliminating the oxygen and helping to prevent the fire re-starting.

Use Foam extinguishers on solid material fires, e.g. wood, paper or cloth.

Use Dry Powder extinguishers on liquid and/or electrical fires.

If the fire is outside keep your back to the wind. If the fire is indoors keep yourself between the fire and the exit.

Pull out pin, aim nozzle at BASE of fire, and squeeze lever.

Aircraft Accident

On arrival at the scene turn off the master switch and fuel if possible, to minimise the risk of fire.

Do not move casualties, even if they are unconscious, unless they are not breathing, they have no pulse or there is a danger of fire.

LIST OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

In Hanger

1 Wheeled 45Kg Foam unit.

1 Wheeled 27.5Kg Dry Powder unit.

2 Dry Powder 9Kg

1 Foam 9 Litre

In Rescue Vehicle

1 Dry Powder 9Kg.

1 Fire blanket (light Duty)

In Ops Room

1 Dry Powder 9Kg.

1 Foam 6 Litre.

In Clubhouse

1 Foam 6 Litre.

1 Fire blanket (heavy duty)

In Aircraft

1 Dry Powder 1Kg.

In Fire Truck

230 Litres Water for type B Foam.

Section 3.

First Aid

Bleeding

The aim here is to stop bleeding, even if a limb has been severed, the most effective way is to raise the limb if possible, and apply direct pressure with your hand using surgical gloves and/or clean cloth or bandage. Maintain this pressure until the ambulance arrives.

Aircraft Accident

On arrival at the scene turn off the master switch and fuel if possible, to minimise the risk of fire.

Do not move casualties, even if they are unconscious, unless they are not breathing, they have no pulse or there is a danger of fire.

Spinal injury

Treat every casualty as if they have a spinal injury (unless they are walking around). Do not move them unless their life is in imminent danger.

Bleeding can be controlled with the casualty still in the aeroplane.

Burns

The most effective way to treat burns (including acid burns) is with water gel burn dressings.

Do not remove anything that may be stuck to a burn.

If you do not have water gel burn dressings, cover the burn with clean non-fluffy material.

Do not break blisters or remove loose skin from the injured area.

CPR

(There is a chart at the fire point in the hanger with step by step instructions on how to perform CPR).

If it becomes necessary to perform CPR

Proceed as follows:

  1. Airway - open airway - tilt head back and lift chin.
  2. Breathe - look and listen to see if casualty is breathing, if not, give 2 full breaths. Check pulse. If there is a pulse continue with breaths. If there is no pulse -
  3. Circulate - the blood with chest compressions. Depress sternum 1½ - 2 inches. Perform 15 compressions to every 2 full breaths. Continue until help arrives.

LIST OF FIRST AID EQUIPMENT

Some of the items available in ops room include:

Triangular bandages

Roller bandages

Tape

Gauze

Savlon

Burnshield

Scissors

Eye Lotion

Some of the items available in the rescue vehicle include:

Inflatable splints

Roller bandages

Burn dressings

Scissors



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