RT-28 · Initiation & Modification

Patient Transport & Disaster Response

Intrahospital and flight transport planning, gas supply math under pressure, and triage when resources run out.

~14 min read3 concept sections·2 questions with rationale

What you'll be able to do

  • Plan equipment, gas, and monitoring for a safe transport
  • Anticipate altitude effects on gas volume and oxygenation
  • Apply triage principles during surge and mass-casualty events
  • Maintain airborne precautions in transit
Concept breakdown
01

Planning the move

Every transport is stabilized first, equipped second, and moved third.

  • Bring: transport ventilator or resuscitator with mask and PEEP valve, oxygen with a calculated reserve, suction, monitoring for SpO2 and EtCO2, airway rescue equipment, and medications.
  • Calculate cylinder duration and double it. An E cylinder at 1800 psi on 10 L/min lasts about 50 minutes — a delayed elevator or a held CT scanner ends transports.
  • Secure the airway and confirm tube depth before leaving; a tube that migrates in a hallway is discovered by capnography, not by hope.
  • Handoff at both ends is structured, and the receiving unit's ventilator settings are matched before disconnecting the transport device.
At the bedside

The most dangerous point of any transport is the disconnect and reconnect. Preoxygenate, move deliberately, and reconfirm.

Practice quiz

Check yourself before you read the rationale.

Question 1 of 1

A patient is transported by helicopter with an air-filled endotracheal tube cuff. At cruise altitude the cuff pressure should be expected to:

Practice questions

Answer first, then read why the distractors fail.

Question 1

A patient is transported by helicopter with an air-filled endotracheal tube cuff. At cruise altitude the cuff pressure should be expected to:

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2 more concept sections, 1 more question, and the exam-day playbook for this module.

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