Page 93 - JSOM Spring 2026

FIGURE 1 Emergency evacuation hyperbaric stretcher loaded into FIGURE 3 Emergency evacuation hyperbaric stretcher loaded into
USCG MH-65 aircraft. H145 aircraft on floor, viewed from rear.

Note inability to close cabin door.

tie-down can be used to secure the EEHS, none were available
on the aircraft, nor do they form part of the standard EEHS kit.

H145
The H145 aircraft loads primarily from a double rear door FIGURE 4 Emergency evacuation hyperbaric stretcher loaded into
under the tail, with the patient typically loaded onto special H145 aircraft on cot, viewed from rear.
Ferno-Washington (Wilmington, OH) or Stryker (Kalamazoo,
MI) cots designed for helicopter use. Loaded directly on the
floor of the aircraft, the EEHS fit easily in all dimensions and
would allow for one crewmember (potentially two with cre-
ativity) to fit on board safely (Figures 2 and 3). The EEHS
was then placed onto the aircraft’s assigned Stryker Perfor-
mance-PRO XT cot, one of the taller cots capable of helicopter
use (13.8 inches). The combination was found to barely fit, but
did slide along the top of this aircraft’s optional rear compart-
ment bulkhead (Figure 4). It should be noted that the bulkhead
specifics were customized by the local operator, and other air-
craft of this model may or may not have the same height lim-
itations. The Stryker cot straps were too short to secure the
EEHS to the cot and no other straps were available onboard.

FIGURE 2 Emergency evacuation hyperbaric stretcher loaded into
H145 aircraft on floor, viewed from side door.

negative impacts on operations. Inability to access the Res-
cue Swimmer crew seat would require advance notice to the
supporting Sector Headquarters to limit crewmembers to only
one at the rear or require leaving a crewmember behind at
the pickup site, requiring additional logistics for staff recovery.
With the side door open and locked, the aircraft would be
limited to 100km/h airspeed and fuel consumption would be
increased. This procedure would be unusual for USCG rescue
operations, limit total travel distance, and result in a delay to
definitive treatment. Further, any “door open” flight requires
Discussion securing of all interior items and comes with increased risks.
The EEHS could be loaded into the MH-65, however the side The difficulty in securing the EEHS would require unconven-
doors had to remain open and loading inhibited access to the tional materials and procedures, which would be challenging
Rescue Swimmer crew seats. These limitations have multiple and potentially unfeasible in mid-mission. These circumstances

EEHS Fit Testing in Small Helicopters | 91