Purpose
To provide guidelines and special consideration for lifesaving personnel responding to an aircraft crash incident.
Policy
Lifesaving service response to an aircraft crash incident aligns with standard SLSA training relating to in- water search & rescue and/or land based first aid treatment and emergency care.
The possible number of injured or lost patients requires the response of a significant quantity of lifesaving resources, rescue helicopters, Ambulance, Fire and Police resources as soon as possible.
Procedure
Any response to an aircraft incident should be conducted under the direction of the State Duty Officer.
Types of Aircraft Accidents:
- Land emergency: Where an aircraft makes an emergency landing on land.
- Water emergency: Where an aircraft makes an emergency landing on.
Personal Safety
Plane crash incidents can pose hazards to lifesaving services that require specific consideration, such as:
- Fuel
- Fire/smoke/gas hazards
- Sharps (glass/metal)
Communication/Support Requested
- Contact the State Operations Centre immediately and inform of incident details.
- Request additional lifesaving services and emergency services.
Site Marking
The submersion of an aircraft may require lifesaving services to mark the location via the use of buoys etc.
Interpretation of currents and drift may be required to identify search areas. Marker dye may be suitable for such.
Triage Centres
Lifesaving services personnel may be requested to assist with the establishment of a triage treatment centre either within a surf club and or adjacent areas.
Evacuation
An aircraft must only be evacuated once it is stationary. It is important to move passengers well away and upwind after evacuating the aircraft.
Aircraft Crashes into Water
When an aircraft crashes into the water, the impact is likely to cause the aircraft to break up in pieces. Although the risk of fire is reduced fuel floating on the surface of the water can ignite spontaneously. When the aircraft is floating after a crash care should be taken to ensure buoyancy is not disturbed. Survivors should be evacuated smoothly and quickly before the aircraft begins to fill and sink. If there is some time before the aircraft sinks divers can sometimes rescue persons trapped in the air pockets within the fuselage. Lifesaving personnel should not attempt to enter an aircraft which has crashed.
Aircraft Crashes on Land
When an aircraft crashes onto land there may be several impacts before the aircraft becomes stationary. There is a very high risk of smoke, fire and explosions post-crash and persons may become trapped inside the aircraft. Lifesaving personnel should not attempt to enter an aircraft which has crashed.
Precautions when Dealing with Crashed Aircraft
Although the risk of igniting fuel on the water surface is low, every precaution should be taken to prevent such an event. This may even include turning off the motors to prevent any possibility of ignition. If crew members are required to enter the water, they should be protected against the effects of the fuel. This includes wearing a wetsuit, a helmet, and a mask. The effects of fuel are to irritate the skin and especially any mucus membranes. Women should be especially careful when entering fuel contaminated water. When the crew re-boards the boat they should be thoroughly washed down with copious amounts of fresh water and then shower as soon as possible. Wetsuits should also be thoroughly cleaned to prevent damage.