Quantifying Patient Vibration Patterns During Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) Aboard the UH-60L Equipped with the Interim Medevac Mission Support System (IMMSS)
Abstract
The purpose of this flight test program was to collect human engineering data on the UH-60L, fitted with the Interim Medevac Mission Support System (IMMSS), to characterize and assess the exposure of patients to vibration during aeromedical evacuation (AE). The aircraft was owned and operated by the Maryland Army National Guard (MD ARNG) located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. The Remote Vibration Environment Recorder (REVER) was used to collect tri-axial acceleration data at the back/pelvis interfaces, chest, head, and support platform of the supine litter patient at two tier levels on the IMMSS, and at the seat pan and seat back interfaces, and seat support bar of a seated patient. Data were collected for multiple flight test conditions aboard the aircraft. All measurement sites showed a major spectral peak in the three directions at approximately 17 - 17.5 Hz; the blade passage frequency of the UH-60. The litter patients showed the highest overall unweighted interface accelerations in the horizontal directions, with higher levels tending to occur at the upper Tier 2. The seated patient showed the highest overall seat pan accelerations in the vertical direction. Litter patients showed damped vibration at the head and chest. The overall weighted accelerations used to assess comfort indicated that the litter patient exposures would primarily be considered fairly uncomfortable (ISO 2631-1: 1997), and that the seated patient exposures would be considered fairly uncomfortable as well as uncomfortable, particularly during hover and approaches. It is strongly emphasized that the comfort reactions defined in ISO 2631-1 are based on the reactions expected of relatively healthy seated occupants during public transport, and not traumatically injured patients. While the standard litter used in this project did not include a cushioned mat, it is recommended that this be done during actual medical transport, if not already, for improving the injured patients comfort.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1182916
Entities
People
- Steven G. Chervak
- Suzanne D. Smith
Organizations
- 711th Human Performance Wing
- United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine