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Emergency Medical Support for a Manned Stratospheric Balloon Test Program

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 September 2014

Rebecca S. Blue ,
Sean C. Norton ,
Jennifer Law ,
James M. Pattarini ,
Erik L. Antonsen ,
Alejandro Garbino ,
Jonathan B. Clark  and
Matthew W. Turney
Rebecca S. Blue*
Affiliation:
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TexasUSA
Sean C. Norton
Affiliation:
Travis County Emergency Medical Services, Austin, TexasUSA
Jennifer Law
Affiliation:
Independent, Nassau Bay, TexasUSA
James M. Pattarini
Affiliation:
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TexasUSA
Erik L. Antonsen
Affiliation:
Center for Space Medicine and Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TexasUSA
Alejandro Garbino
Affiliation:
Center for Space Medicine and Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TexasUSA
Jonathan B. Clark
Affiliation:
Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TexasUSA
Matthew W. Turney
Affiliation:
Baptist St. Anthony Health System, Amarillo, TexasUSA
*
Correspondence: Rebecca S. Blue, MD, MPH Preventive Medicine and Community Health University of Texas Medical Branch 301 University Blvd Galveston, Texas 77555-1110 USA E-mail rblue.md@gmail.com
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Abstract

Introduction

Red Bull Stratos was a commercial program that brought a test parachutist, protected by a full-pressure suit, in a stratospheric balloon with pressurized capsule to over 127,582 ft (38,969 m), from which he free fell and subsequently parachuted to the ground. Given that the major risks to the parachutist included ebullism, negative Gz (toe-to-head) acceleration exposure from an uncontrolled flat spin, and trauma, a comprehensive plan was developed to recover the parachutist under nominal conditions and to respond to any medical contingencies that might have arisen. In this report, the project medical team describes the experience of providing emergency medical support and crew recovery for the manned balloon flights of the program.

Methods

The phases of flight, associated risks, and available resources were systematically evaluated.

Results

Six distinct phases of flight from an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) standpoint were identified. A Medical Support Plan was developed to address the risks associated with each phase, encompassing personnel, equipment, procedures, and communications.

Discussion

Despite geographical, communications, and resource limitations, the medical team was able to implement the Medical Support Plan, enabling multiple successful manned balloon flights to 71,615 ft (21,828 m), 97,221 ft (29,610 m), and 127,582 ft (38,969 m). The experience allowed refinement of the EMS and crew recovery procedures for each successive flight and could be applied to other high altitude or commercial space ventures.

BlueRS, NortonSC, LawJ, PattariniJM, AntonsenEL, GarbinoA, ClarkJB, TurneyMW. Emergency Medical Support for a Manned Stratospheric Balloon Test Program. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(5):1-6.

Keywords

field medical supportfree fallhigh altitudemedical protocolRed Bull Stratos
Type
Special Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 29 , Issue 5 , October 2014 , pp. 532 - 537
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2014 

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