ASTM F2318-04

This specification covers rotary wing aircraft involved in patient prehospital emergency medical care and transportation. It outlines the minimum requirements, including personnel, and patient care equipment and supplies, that must be met before the aircraft can be classified as a rotary wing air ambulance unit. This specification describes a suitable rotary wing aircraft, which together with the specified personnel, equipment, and supplies, will provide patient care, at least to national standards for basic life support, throughout the medical mission. It applies to all the medical activities that involve rotary wing air ambulance operation at the basic life support level, including on-scene work and interhospital transfer. Application of this specification will ensure that the air ambulance will be able to provide a well-established level of patient care. The rotary wing basic life support air ambulance shall consist of three components: the rotary wing medical transport vehicle, transport personnel, and patient care equipment and supplies in accordance with this specification. The minimum personnel requirement for the rotary wing basic life support air ambulance shall be the FAA flight crew requirement for the aircraft and for each patient, one qualified air-medical crewmember. All pieces of medical equipment and supplies used in rotary wing operations shall be maintained in accordance with the specified requirements.