Guest writer, Mike Biasatti from EMS Flight Crew writes:
Sometimes it’s the obvious things that we take for granted that get us into trouble. At my base I have a talk with all new hire medical crew members, a briefing of sorts, though generally it is anything but brief. I cover the responsibilities required of me as the PIC and attempt to give them some insight into the aviation side of the job. By discussing events that have occurred in the program it gives them a chance to learn from the mistakes of others and this, of course includes myself.
The air medical industry is unique in many ways and requires us to perform a wide variety of mission profiles. Within these mission profiles there is an autonomy with which we as pilots and the medical crew members are required to operate. At the same time the complexity of the mission environment can be dramatic. Often there is limited or no weather reporting at our destination, rapidly changing conditions, unimproved landing areas and an underlying sense of urgency during the course of the call. The list of variables that we as flight crew are faced with from flight request to completion can be daunting. To complicate the situation there are three type ‘A’ personalities sitting in the aircraft making the mission happen and positive interaction among the crew is essential. You almost need to be an expert in conflict resolution to function safely and effectively.
In the last issue I talked about the importance of effective, clear and concise communication and how important it is for everyone to be on the same page. In this issue I’d like to address conflict resolution between medical crewmembers and pilots.
There is absolutely no place onboard a Lifeguard aircraft for strife, conflict or hostility between the pilot and the crew. Conflict causes distraction and distractions onboard a HEMS aircraft opens the door to risks that can get the better of us. During high workload portions of the flight we are often operating in areas with little to no margin for distraction or error. We do this at varying hours of the day or night. We do this at shift change when we first arrive for duty or 11 hours later as we are preparing to go home. We do this in good weather or marginal weather. We do this during scene calls or hospital transfers. The variety of what we do is one of the things that makes this such a great job, but it also makes it very challenging.
Every shift, every flight and every event is an opportunity for learning. Often our desire to blame another and vindicate ourselves is so strong when a conflict arises or a mishap occurs that the opportunity to learn, improve and avoid it in the future is lost. Maturity is one of those things you can’t rush. Like anything of value it must be learned and earned over time and experience. I’ve seen examples of this behavior with an increasing frequency of late and the trend is disturbing. An individual is so wrapped up in their right to be right and in doing so makes the other person wrong that it distracts them. Whether it’s a member of their own crew, support personnel, ATC or a competing program their judgment is impaired by anger. Instead of putting that anger aside and delving deeper into the opportunity to learn, educate and improve the circumstance, they take the low road of accusing, blaming and ultimately seeking a punitive resolution for the other party.
In most of the instances that I’ve witnessed the other party, now on the defensive, has a completely opposite interpretation of the events that transpired and they retort with their own verbal assault. I’ve said it before that ego and pride are two traits that should never accompany you into a HEMS operation. In these scenario’s both ego and pride can easily work against your good judgement and add an element of distraction to an operation that has no room for any.
When we start to go down a path where better judgment would turn you around, your ego and your pride can often encourage your own internal risk assessment indicator to accept an additional load. Perhaps you’ve been in this situation before and come out successful. Maybe the next time, or the next 100 times you are just as ‘lucky’. Now in addition to being ego and pride driven you can add a dose of ‘boldness’ from your repeated success at pushing on into deteriorating circumstances. It’s here where the crew component is a vital link in the success of the mission. A fully engaged crew will recognize added risk factors. You don’t have to be a pilot to know that night flight presents added challenges or deteriorating weather adds risk. Listen to your crews, respect their concerns and learn from every experience and then seek out avenues to share what you’ve learned with others. Collectively we can all make this industry safer through our involvement with members in the HEMS community.
Challenge your crews to challenge you. Encourage their involvement. Create an open environment where they feel free to ask questions and express the fact that they are uncomfortable if that circumstance arises. Pose hypothetical situations to them on the long empty legs and educate them on how they can help you and all the pilots operate more efficiently. At the end of the day, we all have the same goal; to return safely from each flight safely and to go home to our friends and families.
There is more to being an EMS Pilot than flying. Now more than ever we have to be coaches, coordinators, safety officers, teachers and aviation professionals. Seek to set an example. Demand more of your crew, but start with demanding more of yourself. This profession needs mature pilots willing to be leaders and positive representatives of the air medical industry. Put safety above all else and never stop improving.
www.emsflightcrew.com
- ER24
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