Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 15 - Mississippi Department of Health
Part 12 - Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
Subpart 31 - Emergency Medical Services
Chapter 3 - AERO MEDICAL SERVICES
Subchapter 9 - Medical Equipment and Supplies
Rule 15-12-31-3.9.2

a. The stretcher must be large enough to carry the 95th percentile adult patient, full length in the supine position. (Estimated 95th percentile adult American male is 6 ft. and 232 lbs. and may differ internationally.) Patients under 40 pounds must be provided with an appropriately sized restraining device (for patient's height and weight), which is further secured by a locking device. All patients from 10 to 40 pounds must be secured in a five-point safety strap device that allows good access to the patient from all sides and permits the patient's head to be raised at least 30 degrees. For infants up to 10 pounds, a baby pod or commercial equivalent may be used.

b. Shall have at least two shoulder harnesses and three cross-body patient restraining straps, one of which secures the chest area and the other about the area of the knee and thigh area.

c. The stretcher shall be installed in the aircraft cabin so that it is sufficiently isolated by distance or physical barrier from the cockpit so that the patient cannot reach the cockpit crew from a supine or prone position on the stretcher.

d. Attachment points of the stretcher to the aircraft, the stretcher itself, and the straps securing the patient to the stretcher, shall meet FAR restraint requirements.

e. The aircraft must have an entry that allows loading and unloading without excessive maneuvering (no more than 45 degrees about the lateral axis and 30 degrees about the longitudinal axis) of the patient, and does not compromise functioning of monitoring systems, intravenous lines, and manual or mechanical ventilation.

f. The stretcher shall be positioned in the cabin to allow the air medical personnel clear view of the patient's body.

g. Air medical personnel shall always have access to the patient's head and upper body for airway control procedures as well as sufficient space over the area where the patient's chest is to adequately perform chest compressions on the patient. Note: The licensee may be required to demonstrate to the licensing authority that airway control procedures and cardiac compressions/abdominal thrusts can be adequately performed on a training manikin in any of its aircraft.

h. The stretcher mattress must be sealed to prevent absorption of blood and other body fluids, easily cleanable and disinfected according to OSHA blood borne pathogens requirements.

i. The stretcher must be sturdy and rigid enough that it can support cardiopulmonary resuscitation. If a backboard or equivalent device is required to achieve this, such device will be readily available.

j. A supply of linen for each patient.

a. Air medical personnel must be in seat belts (and shoulder harnesses if installed) that are properly worn and secured for all takeoffs and landings according to FAA regulations. A policy should be written that defines when seat belts/ shoulder harnesses can be unfastened.

b. Patients transported by air are restrained with a minimum of three cross straps. Cross straps are expected to restrain the patient at the chest, hips, and knees. Patients that are loaded head forward must additionally be restrained with a shoulder harness restraint.