Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T14:18:22.126Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Medical Support for Aircraft Disaster Search and Recovery Operations at Sea: the RSN Experience

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2016

Kok Ann Colin Teo ,
Tse Feng Gabriel Chong ,
Min Han Lincoln Liow  and
Kong Choong Tang
Kok Ann Colin Teo*
Affiliation:
Navy Medical Service, Republic of Singapore Navy, Singapore
Tse Feng Gabriel Chong
Affiliation:
Headquarters Medical Corps, Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore
Min Han Lincoln Liow
Affiliation:
Navy Medical Service, Republic of Singapore Navy, Singapore
Kong Choong Tang
Affiliation:
Headquarters Medical Corps, Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore
*
Correspondence: MAJ (DR) Teo, Kok Ann Colin Navy Medical Service Republic of Singapore Navy AFPN 6060 126 Tanah Merah Coast Road Singapore 498822 E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The maritime environment presents a unique set of challenges to search and recovery (SAR) operations. There is a paucity of information available to guide provision of medical support for SAR operations for aircraft disasters at sea. The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) took part in two such SAR operations in 2014 which showcased the value of a military organization in these operations. Key considerations in medical support for similar operations include the resultant casualty profile and challenges specific to the maritime environment, such as large distances of area of operations from land, variable sea states, and space limitations. Medical support planning can be approached using well-established disaster management life cycle phases of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery, which all are described in detail. This includes key areas of dedicated training and exercises, force protection, availability of air assets and chamber support, psychological care, and the forensic handling of human remains. Relevant lessons learned by RSN from the Air Asia QZ8501 search operation are also included in the description of these key areas.

Teo KAC, Chong TFG, Liow MHL, Tang KC. Medical Support for Aircraft Disaster Search and Recovery Operations at Sea: the RSN Experience. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016; 31(3):294–299.

Keywords

aircraft disastermaritimemedical supportsearch and rescue
Type
Comprehensive Review
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 31 , Issue 3 , June 2016 , pp. 294 - 299
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Wardell, J, Daga, A. Crowded skies in South-east Asia put pressure on pilots, air traffic control. Reuters-online edition. http://in.reuters.com/article/indonesia-airplane-trafficcontrol-idINL3N0UF04H20141231. Published December 31, 2014. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
2. Lopez, G. 2014 was a surprisingly safe year for air travel. Vox World online. http://www.vox.com /2014/12/29/7460467/airplane-crashes. Published December 29, 2014. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
3. BBC News. Flight QZ8501: What we know about the AirAsia plane crash. BBC News Online. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30632735. Published December 1, 2014. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
4. MINDEF Singapore. The SAF concludes deployment for QZ8501 search operations. MINDEF official releases web site. http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/ official_releases/nr/2015/jan/18jan15_nr.html#.VqKhW_krLIU. Published January 18, 2015. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
5. Trunkey, DD. Trauma. Sci Am. 1983;249(2):20-27.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. Koeing, R. Exit-locating devices, aircraft structural strengthening, and improved crew drills called “most practicable” accident-survivability factors. Flight Safety Foundation. 1997;32(1):1-6.Google Scholar
7. UNTERM. United Nations Multilingual Terminology Database. UNTERM Web site. http://unterm.un.org/ dgaacs/unterm.nsf/8fa942046ff7601c85256983007ca4d8/ 71caf56c7262734685 2573a90067fdf4?OpenDocument. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
8. American College of Surgeons. ATLS: Advanced Trauma Life Support for Doctors (Student Course Manual). 8th edition. Chicago, Illinois USA: American College of Surgeons; October 2008.Google Scholar
9. Teo, KA, Law, ZW, Tang, KC. Humanitarian assistance: the RSN surgical deployment concept afloat and peri-operative challenges at sea. International Review of the Armed Forces Medical Services. 2014;87(4):64-71.Google Scholar
10. United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). National Preparedness Cycle. FEMA Web site. https://www.fema.gov/ national-preparedness-cycle. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
11. Zainal, Kharina. Reviewing whole-of-government collaboration in the Singapore public service. Ethos. 2001;9(1):1-10.Google Scholar
12. Live blog: Air Asia flight QZ8501 crash day 7. Channel NewsAsia Web site. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/live-blog-airasia-flight/1565048.html. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
13. US Joint Forces Command. Health Services Support. US Joint Forces Publication 04-02. http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/new_pubs/jp4_02.pdf. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
14. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters: A Field Manual for First Responders. Washington, DC USA: Pan American Health Organization; 2009: 1-48.Google Scholar
15. Exercise Cobra Gold. MINDEF Web site. http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/ mindef_websites/ atozlistings/safmc/Latesto psdeployment/Cobragold.html. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
16. Cyberpioneer. To the rescue. MINDEF Web site. http://www.mindef.gov.sg/ imindef/ resourcelibrary/cyberpioneer/topics/articles/features /2012/sep12 _cs.html#.VN2QaFOUcmU. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
17. ABC news (Australia). AirAsia flight QZ8501: eighty divers deployed to continue search, four more bodies found. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-05/four-more-bodies-found-as-airasia-qz8501-search-continues/5999736. Published January 5, 2015. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
18. Jane Fisher Defense. MV Swift Rescue Submarine Rescue System. http://jfdefence.com/casestudie s/swiftrescue/index.php. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
19. Taylor, AJ. The stress of post-disaster body handling with victim identification work. J Human Stress. 1982;8(4):4-12.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20. Walsh, DS. Interventions to reduce psychosocial disturbance following humanitarian relief efforts involving natural disasters: an integrative review. Int Journal of Nursing Practice. 2009;15(1):231-340.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21. Nurmi, LA. The sinking of Estonia: the effects of critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) on rescuers. Int J Emerg Mental Health. 1999;1(1):23-31.Google ScholarPubMed
22. United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Disaster response in the Asia Pacific. UNOCHA Web site. http://www.unocha.org/publications/asiadisasterresponse. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
23. Koenig, K, Schultz, C. Koenig and Schultz’s Disaster Medicine, Comprehensive Principles and Practices. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press; 2009: 33-50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24. Abbott. I-STAT system. http://www.abbottpointofcare.com/. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
25. Singapore General Hospital. Fundamental Critical Care Support Course. http://www.sgh.com.sg/ education/ institute-for-medical-simulation-and education. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
26. Minister of Defense, Dr. Ng Eng Hen. Parliamentary Question on Singapore’s contributions to Search and Rescue Mission for Air Asia Flight QZ8501. http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/official_releases/ps/2015/29jan15_ps2.html#.VZCvLBOqqkoMINDEF official press release. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
27. Terminology. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. http://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/terminology. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
28. Mann, R, Bass, WM, Meadows, L. Time since death and decomposition of the human body: variables and observations in case and experimental field studies. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 1990;35(1):103-111.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29. Cotton, GE, Aufderheide, AC, Goldschmidt, VG. Preservation of human tissue immersed for five years in fresh water of known temperature. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 1987;32(4):1125-1130.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30. Body-recovery equipment ‘will spare sailors.’ The Australian-online edition. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/ national-affairs/body-recovery-equip ment-will-spare-sailors/story-fn59niix-1226694527956. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar
31. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams. DMORT Standing Operating Procedures for National Transportation and Safety Board Activations. Washington, DC USA: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2006.Google Scholar
32. Interpol. Disaster Victim Identification Guide. Lyon, France: Interpol; 2009;1(1):1-55.Google Scholar
33. US Department of Health and Human Services. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams. US Department of Health and Human Services Web site. http://www.phe.gov/ preparedness/responders/ndms/teams/pages/ dmort.aspx. Accessed February 10, 2015.Google Scholar