Experience With Electrostatic Discharge During Hoist Operations in the Norwegian Search-and-Rescue Helicopter Service: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective

Electrostatic charging during helicopter flight is well known. In a helicopter search-and-rescue (SAR) service, a winch is often used to access or extract patients. To avoid injury to the personnel who are hoisted, electrostatic discharge between the helicopter and the ground should be transferred through an electrostatic discharge line. Still, rescue paramedics (RPs) and physicians involved in hoist operations are familiar with electrostatic discharge episodes, so-called “static.” There is a surprising lack in medical literature that describes the scope of static. We aimed to investigate the experience with electrostatic discharge during hoist operations among the personnel in the Norwegian SAR service.

Methods

A nationwide, de-identified, web-based cross-sectional survey. All RPs and physicians who work in the SAR service operated by the 330 Squadron in Norway were invited to participate.

Results

Of 81 invited, 74 responded (91%). The mean length of experience was 13 years (range, 2-31), and all RPs and 73% of physicians had experienced static. The median number of static experienced was 10 (range, 1–200). Mild static had been experienced by 85%, moderate static by 61%, and severe static by 23%. RPs were both significantly more experienced than physicians and had experienced more static, with a higher degree of severity. Notably, 30% of participants answered that static is a problem for the SAR service, and 24% of participants were worried about potential long-term effects.

Conclusion

In this nationwide survey, we found that experience with electrostatic discharge, “static,” is common among personnel involved in hoist operations in the Norwegian SAR service. Many participants had experienced a severe degree of static, and 24% of participants were concerned about long-term effects. This survey establishes a need to further assess the scope and implications of static in the SAR service.