M E T I AR O U N D T H E W O R L D : HAN O V E R , G E RMAN Y
High End Simulator for
When time is of the essence, rescue helicopters are irreplaceable for
the treatment of seriously ill or injured patients. The problems for res-
cue helicopter teams, such as massive acceleration, vibrations, engine
and rotor blade noise, restricted fields of vision, significantly reduced
communication with the patient, spatial restrictions, heat and cold,
poor accessibility of the patient, as well as safety in air traffic, make
life even more arduous for the rescue crew.
Special training that incorporates realistic human factors is exception-
ally important in the development and improvement of air ambu-
lance procedures for the entire rescue team. It was for this reason that
Cristoph Life – a realistic helicopter simulator designed for the integrat-
ed training of air rescue helicopter crews in Hanover, Germany - was
developed.
The project is run jointly by the Trauma Foundation and the Johanniter-
Unfall-Hilfe e.V. Additional scientific support is provided by the Depart-
ment of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery at Hanover Medical
School (MHH), while the actual training takes place at the Johanniter
Academy in Hanover. MMH’s rescue helicopter, Christoph 4, is a major
part of the accident and rescue centre and has completed more than
50,000 missions since its introduction in 1972. Major technical and
medical advancements, as well as a lot of experience, have resulted
in ever shorter prehospital time periods for patients and the
reduction of mortality for patients during and after missions.
Aeromedical Rescue Teams:
Christoph Life
has landed
Christoph Life simulates the cabin of a real helicopter and comes
complete with audio-video capability, METI’s wireless iStan patient
simulator and a link to an instructor room. Situated in a specially
prepared scenario hall called “SAN-Arena”, participating helicopter
crews are exposed to real-life scenarios on the ground, during the
flight and during patient transfer to and from an accident and emer-
gency department or an intensive care unit, all under the super-
vision of expert helicopter crew members and psychological and
didactics specialists trained in modern aeromedical crew resource
management concepts.
With this capability, simulation training in a controlled environment
with a fully-equipped original rescue helicopter model has become
standard practice in the development of a professional air ambu-
lance service. Debriefing and the analysis of potential and actual
human errors and crew resource management after each scenario,
is a vital part of the course. Cooperation, attentiveness, leadership
and decision-making are all part of the training. Furthermore, ongo-
ing awareness of processes and procedures in air medical rescue
increases both the professionalism and coordination of all resources
of the flight crew.
For more information and dates of courses please visit
www.christoph-life.de.
SPRING 2010 | HPSN | 7