Emergency Action Plan - SSA

ACKNOWLEDGE

An accident can happen at anytime. Be aware of all of the people who are flying on that day and encourage friends to use the buddy system. Use all available technology to keep tabs on each other. This includes location sharing on your cell phone and InReach type devices.  If you recognize that an accident has happened, take a moment and consider the following preferred workflow. Don’t do anything quick, there is time for you to see what your role will be, if any. Be open to the idea that other people can respond to the accident. 

CHECK FOR SAFETY

Before investigating or responding to an event, strongly consider your safety. The most important thing that anyone can do is to make sure to not cause a second event. The flying community and EMS are capable of responding to one event but two events will severely limit the available manpower and resources. 

ALERT EMS

Any event that seems like it might demand EMS absolutely demands EMS. It’s a common mistake to forego alerting EMS. There is plenty of mechanism for injury in our very 3D sport. Don’t hesitate. Make the call. EMS are very happy to come and find that they aren’t needed.

COMMUNICATE

Assuming that you have already actuated the EMS system ( call 911 ) proceed to next steps.  The club radio frequency is 151.925. If you have a radio please announce what is happening on this frequency.  If you are out of cell phone range then activate an InReach type emergency beacon.

If you are alone at the scene of an accident, call for help. Use any and all available resources and don’t under estimate the club etc. social channels as a way of asking for help. Facebook, telegram etc. are reasonable places to ask for help. Many pilots and club members are uniquely qualified to help in difficult situations. 

DESIGNATE

If multiple people are on scene then designate the most highly trained to lead the care of the patient. Other roles are 1) make sure that the pilot won’t be subject to being dragged by the glider or reserve 2) provide stability to the patient 3) bring First Aid supplies and other equipment to treat for shock 4) notify pilots flying that they need to land 5) meet EMS and guide them to the accident scene 5) In extreme cases someone will need to go to a place where there is cell phone coverage. This can be an important role. 

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TREAT

If you are challenged with treating an injured pilot then remember you training and keep the pilot stable. Remember not to move a pilot unnecessarily. Many injuries can be masked. Shock presents in many different ways. Keep the pilot from moving and proceed with caution.

DON’T MAKE THINGS WORSE

A classic response to an accident is for a pilot to make an emergency descent to aid the injured pilot. Sometimes this creates more risk than is necessary. A slow descent giving extra care to make a safe landing is preferred. Don’t try to land next to the accident scene unless you are needed and it’s safe. 

PREPARE FOR EMS ARRIVAL

Remember that if the scene is devoid of any airborne paragliders and all paragliders on the ground are completely stowed THEN and only then can an air medical helicopter land. A single pilot who fails to realize what is happening can prevent an injured pilot from getting the care that they need.

“LAND DUE TO AN ACCIDENT” COMMUNICATION

There are many ways that this can be communicated depending on the site. The club's radio frequency, Telegram channels or even calling an individual pilot if you know their number.  If you see most or all pilots are landing for an inexplicable reason, you should too. This probably means that conditions are changing and/ or that there is an accident.   In the event that you see a helicopter approaching to land etc. near the scene of an accident, feel free to land at an alternate landing area. 

HOSPITALS

There are numerous local hospitals and urgent care centers for the treatment of minor injuries.  For most serious injuries, University of New Mexico (UNM) is the preferred hospital as it is the only Level 1 trauma center in New Mexico.

FINALLY

It is not appropriate to entertain the news media on the subject of an incident or accident that is taking place or has taken place. It is widely known that no good can come of a news piece about an accident. If a pilot has a strong desire to provide forward thinking safety information then please consult with the club about how that is to be done. 

REPORT

If you see an incident or accident transpire, then please report it on the USHPA website and to the SSA. There is no such thing as too many reports for the same incident or accident.