Alpine Helicopter Emergency Medical Services – Alpine Flight Crew Emergency and Survival Training
(AHEMS- AFCEST)
The Alpine Emergency Medical Services and Survival Training Course (AFCEST) is available in Canada in collaboration with the International Commission for Alpine Rescue. The six day course includes alpine survival training, flight medicine, hoist and CDFL (long line) training in B212, AS350 and EC135 aircraft. The faculty includes Mountain Emergency Physicians, Alpine Rescue Specialists, certified Mountain Guides and experienced Mountain Pilots. Our classroom is the British Columbia Coast range which can easily provide every type of mountaineering challenge.
Candidates must have a solid understanding of alpine rescue operations.
AFCEST is also available in Zermatt (Air Zermatt)
DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must have a solid understanding of alpine rescue operations.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Fees & Module Information
$TBA PER MODULE
COURSE DATE: TBA (fall 2023)
- Applications and $100 non refundable application fee.
- Course confirmation based on minimum student numbers will be decided by this date.
Location: Whistler, BC, Canada
FEES INCLUDE:
ALL ACCOMMODATION
At the course host hotel and/or remote mountain lodge or hut.
ALL TRANSPORTATION
To remote sites via helicopter, snow cat, snowmobile, etc. depending on the location.
ALMOST ALL MEALS
Including breakfast, lunch and the dinners at the remote lodge or hut locations. Dinners while at the hotel are not included.
CURRICULUM
INTRODUCTION
Alpine Helicopter Rescue Specialty Course Orientation
BASICS
Air Regulations – helicopter emergency medical system (HEMS), human external cargo (HEC) helicopter hoist operation (HHO)
SAFETY
Personal protective equipment (PPE), personal gear and alpine gear.
Aviation and HEMS checklists.
Providing a passenger safety briefing.
Infection control and aircraft decontamination.
Hero versus professional discussion.
EQUIPMENT & AIRCRAFT
Helicopter medevac configuration.
Cleaning and refuelling the helicopter, using ground handling equipment, removing and replacing ski basket, doors and seats, removing, servicing and re-installing HEMS equipment.
Installing, removing, inspecting and documenting HEC/HHO equipment. Assisting with HHO cable inspection.
FLIGHT THEORY
Theory of flight for non-pilots.
Landing zone (LZ) selection and preparation.
Weight and balance
Theory of dynamic HEC and HHO flight profile.
Weather
MEDICAL THEORY
Management of complex trauma and medical cases during helicopter transport.
Analgesia and anesthesia in AHEMS operations.
COMMUNICATION & NAVIGATION
Crew Resource Management
Pilot / HEMS crew signals – with and without radio.
Aviation Communications Systems AM/FM/data
Aviation navigation systems.
Altimeter, map/chart, compass and GPS use in orientation and navigation.
Information technology in the mountains.
PRACTICAL SKILLS
Low hover exit/entry dry land and flight training.
Initial solo HEC circuits.
Confined space / radio directed HEC.
HEC circuits with simulated patient and aerial rescue platform (ARP).
HEC insertion/extraction with tagline, non-ambulatory patient and ARP in confined space / radio directed.
HEC wall pickoff un-injured subject.
HEC wall pickoffs of an injured /ambulatory subject.
Rescuer insertion and extraction of patient in ARP by HHO.
Navigation and route finding in hostile mountain weather. crevasse rescue (terrestrial and HEC/HHO).
Emergency Signaling Systems, pyrotechnics etc.
Survival training, use of kits, shelter, signalling, procuring food and water, making fire, low hover insertion.
The Curriculum is delivered via classroom sessions, hands-on sessions with offline airworthy aircraft/equipment in hangars or on the ground, simulation eg. raises and lowers on climbing wall, vertical rock or using an electric hoist and in-flight sessions carried out near the flight base or in the mountains.
Refund/Cancellation Policy:
75% Refund if cancellation is received 90 DAYS prior to the course commencement. 50% Refund if cancellation is received 60 DAYS prior to the course commencement. NO Refund for cancellations received with less than 60 DAYS notification.
- All attendees and applicants are advised to secure travel or other cancellation insurance available through various suppliers or perhaps your credit card will provide the coverage. You are responsible to check that you have coverage for cancellations.
- General CSMM policy is that cancellations will incur a minimum charge of a $ 500.00 administration fee or the charges based on the refund policy noted above.
- The cost to prepare for a course and pre-book accommodation and other resources requiring deposits (i.e. mountain guides or other subject matter experts) dictates the refund policy noted above, as CSMM operates as a non-profit organization and cannot absorb any losses.
- Note: Under extenuating circumstances a COURSE FEE PAID may be carried over to a future course less a minimum administration fee of $ 500.00 plus any costs incurred for prepaid expenses i.e. hotel, back country lodge, mountain guide, etc.
