> EDUCATION
> LZ Safety
> Observer
Program
> UH EMS
Institute
LZ Safety
Landing Zone Guidelines
Download this page as a PDF
Complete online registration form
1. Identify one communications officer who:
o Has a good sense of direction
o Is familiar with the area
o Is free from providing direct care to the patient(s)
2. Call UH MedEvac Communications Center at 877- 842-3822 and provide the following information so that the closest aircraft can be dispatched to your location:
o Identify yourself (Department calling)
o Number of aircraft needed (stand-by or launch)
o Location/Landmarks/predesignated (City, county, intersection, address)
o Radio frequency (include receive and transmit frequency along with PL)
o Callback phone number (cell or landline)
3. Guidelines to prepare a safe Landing Zone (LZ)
o Minimum 60 x 60 feet
o Ideal 100 x 100 feet (approx. 30 large steps)
o < 10 degree slope
o Free from debris, obstruction, hazards (i.e., wires, fences, trees, loose objects)
o Mark each corner (independent lighting system, cones, emergency vehicles)
4. Once contact has been made with the pilot provide the following information:
Landmarks:
o Water / radio towers
o Schools
o Tennis courts
o Swimming pools
o High Power Lines
o Major road intersections
5. LZ Descriptions:
o Type of LZ (i.e., field, road, construction site)
o LZ surface (i.e., field, grass, concrete, gravel, dirt, snow covered
o Boundaries of LZ (i.e., trees, houses, wires, picket fences, towers)
o Approach and departure pathways
6. Notify the pilot when you:
o Hear the aircraft
o See the aircraft
o Direct the pilot to your location using the clock method
REMEMBER: WHEN USING THE CLOCK METHOD THE PILOT IS FACING 12 O'CLOCK!
7. Landing/Lift-off Safety Guidelines:
o Cover your eyes
o Never approach the aircraft unless directed by the pilot and/or medical crew, then only approach the aircraft from the front
o Keep vehicles 50 feet away from LZ
o Keep crowds 100 feet away from LZ
o No objects or people in the middle of the LZ
o No flash cameras/white lights
o No running/smoking
8. After adequate landing information has been given to the pilot, provide the medical crew with the following information:
o Mechanism of injury
o Injury assessment
o Treatment administered
LZ Brief Example
"LZ command this is UH MedEvac we have a 5 minute ETA can provide us with an LZ description?”
“UH MedEvac, this is (LZ command).
The landing zone is a (roadway, school, parking lot, field), surrounded by (trees, buildings, fences), approximately (dimensions), marked by (strobes, lights, cones).
Obstacles and hazards in the area are (wires, light towers, radio towers, fences) to the (noted by compass direction) surface condition (soft, snow covered, hard).”
CLOCK Method Example
“UH MedEvac (LZ command) has an audio and visual on you, the landing zone is at your 3 o’clock."
HOME
| SERVICES | EDUCATION
| EVENTS | AIRCRAFT
| COVERAGE AREA | MEDIA
| GALLERY | CONTACT
© 2008 University
Hospitals MedEvac