Original ResearchAir Medical Evacuations From the German North Sea Wind Farm Bard Offshore 1: Traumatic Injuries, Acute Diseases, and Rescue Process Times (2011-2013)
Section snippets
Material and Methods
For the period of investigation (August 2011-December 2013), 39 medevacs were evaluated. Before June 1, 2012, the medevacs were conducted with a Eurocopter Dauphin AS 365 C3. From July 2012 to the end of the investigation period, a Eurocopter Dauphin AS 365 N2 (alternating with Dauphin AS 365 C3) was used. The flight distance between Emden airport (helicopter base) and the geographic center of the wind farm measures about 135 km (∼73 NM). The helicopter rescue team starting from Emden (Fig. 1)
Offshore Air Medevacs
Thirty-nine offshore medevacs in the wind farm Bard Offshore 1 were evaluated for the period between August 2011 and December 2013. In 19 cases (49%), the medevacs were responding for traumatic injuries, whereas 16 events (41%) were related to acute diseases. In 4 cases (10%), the type of the medical emergency remained unclear. Winch operations or specific patient rescue from heights were not indicated.
The air medevacs were widely conducted during summer months from July to August (16/39
Main Time Slots of Air Medevacs
The increased number of air medevacs during July and August is potentially associated with seasonal construction activities and thus related to the increased number of personnel in the wind farm Bard Offshore 1. Statistical investigations11 reveal that, during the summer seasons from 2010 to 2012, the monthly average of offshore workers (about 250-300 daily) exceeded 6- to > 24-fold the average during the cold period from December to January.
The increased number of 8 missions on Sundays (Fig. 3
Conclusions
This study represents a detailed, factually novel set of data that for the first time shed light on air rescue from offshore wind structures and, thus, may have a future impact on the strategic design of air rescue chains in both the offshore wind and oil and gas industries as well as in other parts of the maritime sector (eg, medevacs from vessels). Mastering air medevacs under the maritime conditions of offshore wind farms is generally an enormous challenge for all personnel involved. Despite
Acknowledgments
This study was financially supported by the German Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention for Trade and Merchandise Logistics (Berufsgenossenschaft Handel und Warenlogistik, BGHW). The scientific content and statements of this manuscript do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the BGHW. We are deeply indebted to thank our BARD/OWS, NHC and ORS/SeaLink colleagues, particularly Peter Ihlenfeld, Frank Zabell, Herbert Janssen, and Jann Aden, for collecting and providing basic
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