Section 890. Equipment

A. Aircraft equipment.

1. General aircraft inspection requirements.

a. Current FAA documented compliance.

b. Current EMS permit posted.

c. Interior and supplies clean and sanitary.

d. Exterior clean.

e. Equipment in good working order.

f. Current USDOT Emergency Response Book.

2. Aircraft warning devices.

180 degree controllable searchlight 400,000 candle power (fixed wing excluded).

3. Design and dimensions.

a. All interior edges and corners padded.

b. Surfaces easily cleaned and nonstainable.

c. Security restraints for stretcher to aircraft.

d. Climate controlled environment for operator and patient care compartments.

e. The service's mission and ability to transport two or more patients shall not compromise the airway or stabilization or the ability to perform emergency procedures on any on-board patient.

4. Aircraft markings.

a. Lettering is minimum three inches in height.

b. Name of agency aircraft is permitted on both sides, three inches in height, contrasting color.

5. Aircraft communications.

a. The aircraft shall be equipped with a functioning emergency locator transmitter (ELT).

b. Attendant-in-charge to medical control (fixed wing excluded).

c. Patient compartment to pilot.

d. The pilot must be able to control and override radio transmissions from the cockpit in the event of an emergency situation.

e. The flight crew must be able to communicate internally.

f. Cellular phones may not be used to satisfy these requirements.

6. Aircraft safety equipment.

a. Head strike envelope - Helmets shall be worn by all routine flight crews and scheduled specialty teams.

b. Seatbelts for all occupants.

c. Flashlight.

d. Fire extinguisher mounted in a quick release bracket or other FAA approved fire suppression system.

e. All items secured to prevent movement while the air ambulance is in motion.

f. "No Smoking" sign posted.

g. The aircraft shall be equipped with survival gear specific to the coverage area and the number of occupants.

h. Survival kit to include signaling capabilities and shelter.

i. Safety apparel. (3 minimum)

j. All items shall be capable of being secured.

B. Medical equipment. Any in-service air ambulance shall be configured in such a way that the medical transport personnel can provide patient care consistent with the mission statement and scope of care of the medical transport service.

1. General patient care equipment.

a. A minimum of one stretcher shall be provided that can be carried to the patient and properly secured to the aircraft as defined in FAR 27.785.

(1) The stretcher shall be age appropriate and full length in the supine position.

(2) The stretcher shall be sturdy and rigid enough that it can support cardiopulmonary resuscitation. If a backboard or equivalent device is required to achieve this, such device will be readily available. (1)

(3) The head of the stretcher shall be capable of being elevated for patient care and comfort.

b. Biohazard container for contaminated sharp objects (ALS), secured or mounted. (1)

c. Waterless antiseptic hand wash. (1)

d. Exam gloves, nonsterile, pairs in sizes small through extra large (small, medium, large, and extra large), if not one size fits all. (5)

e. Face shield or eyewear. (2)

f. Infectious waste trash bags. (2)

g. Linen: towels, blankets, and sheets. (2 each)

2. Basic life support air ambulance equipment requirements.

a. Roller or conforming gauze of assorted widths. (12)

b. Medical adhesive tape, rolls of 1" and 2". (4)

c. Trauma scissors. (1)

d. Trauma dressings, minimum of 8" x 10"-5/8 ply, sterile, individually wrapped. (2)

e. Sterile 4" x 4" gauze pads, individually wrapped. (10)

f. Occlusive dressings, sterile 3" x 8" or larger. (2)

g. Oropharyngeal airways, one of each sizes 0-5 wrapped or in closed container. (1 set)

h. Nasopharyngeal airways set of four, varied sizes, with water soluble lubricant. (1 set)

i. Bag valve mask with oxygen attachment, adult size, with transparent mask. (1)

j. Bag valve mask with oxygen attachment, child size, with transparent mask. (1)

k. BVM infant mask. (1)

l. Pocket mask. (1)

m. Portable O₂ unit containing a quantity of oxygen sufficient to supply the patient at the appropriate flow rate for the period of time it is anticipated oxygen will be needed but not less than 10 liters per minute for 15 minutes. The unit must be manually controlled and have an approved flow meter.

n. Installed oxygen system containing a sufficient quantity of oxygen to supply two patient flowmeters at the approximate flow rate for the period of time it is anticipated oxygen will be needed, but not less than 10 liters per minute for 30 minutes. This unit must be capable of being manually controlled, have two flowmeters, and have an attachment available for a single use humidification device.

o. O₂ high concentrate mask and cannula, child and adult. (2 each)

p. Installed suction apparatus capable of providing a minimum of 20 minutes of continuous operation. (1)

q. Battery powered portable suction apparatus. A manually powered device does not meet this requirement. (1)

r. Suction catheters, wrapped, rigid tonsil tip, FR18, FR14, FR8 and FR6. (2 each)

s. Stethoscope, adult, and pediatric sizes. (1 each)

t. BP cuff, pediatric, adult, and large adult. (1 each)

u. Obstetrics kit containing sterile surgical gloves (2 pair), scissors or other cutting instrument (1), umbilical cord ties (10" long) or disposable cord clamps (4), sanitary pad (1), cloth or disposable hand towels (2), and soft tip bulb syringe (1).

v. Emesis basin or equivalent container. (2)

w. Removable stretcher or spine board with a minimum of 3 restraint straps and manufacturer approved aircraft mounting device. (1)

x. Rigid cervical collars in small adult, medium adult, large adult, and pediatric sizes (1 each). If adjustable adult collars are utilized, a minimum of three.

y. Cervical immobilization device. (1)

z. Pediatric immobilization device. (1)

aa. Immobilization devices for upper and lower extremities. (1 each)

bb. First aid kit of durable construction and suitably equipped. The contents of this kit may be used to satisfy these supply requirements completely or in part. (1)

3. Advanced life support air ambulance equipment requirements.

a. A drug kit with controlled medications authorized by the agency's OMD for use by paramedic personnel. (1)

b. Lockable storage for drug kit and supplies.

c. All drugs shall be in date.

d. Intubation kit with two sets of batteries, adult and pediatric blades and handles (sizes 0-4) (1 set), Magill forceps in adult and pediatric sizes (1 each), disposable tubes in sizes 8.0, 7.0, 6.0, 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.5, or equivalent (2 each), rigid adult stylettes (2 each), 10cc disposable syringe (2), and 5ml of water soluble lubricant (1).

e. There shall be an approved secondary airway device as prescribed by the agency's OMD. (1)

f. Assorted IV, IM, subcutaneous, and other drug and IV fluid administration delivery devices and supplies as specified by agency's OMD.

g. IV infusion pump. (1)

h. Defibrillator, cardioversion and external pacing capable. (1)

i. EKG monitor. (1)

j. Monitor electrodes, with adult and pediatric defibrillation pads. (2 each)

k. Adult and pediatric external pacing pads. (2 each)

l. Noninvasive blood pressure monitoring device capable of adult and pediatric use. (1)

m. Continuous end tidal CO₂ monitoring device. (1)

n. Pulse oximetry monitoring device. (1)

4. Critical care package air ambulance equipment requirements. Items listed are in addition to the air ambulance ALS package.

a. Invasive pressure monitoring equipment. (1)

b. Internal pacemaker and pulse generator immediately available. (1)

c. Ventilator as appropriate for mission.

d. IV infusion pumps. (2)

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 19, Issue 03, eff. January 15, 2003; amended Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 01, eff. October 10, 2012.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia.