An Introduction to the Medical Services at Motorsport Circuits

An Introduction to the Medical Services at Motorsport Circuits

Dr. Mark Haworth

Donington Emergency Services Team

Medical Personnel

Medical Centre
Chief Medical Officer - Nurse - First Aid

Ambulance Control
Chief Ambulance Officer

Rescue Unit
Licensed crew (minimum 3)
Doctor/Paramedic

Ambulance
Paramedic/SJAB/Red Cross

Additional Medical Personnel
At Some Meetings

KED
Rescue crew (5) + Doctor

Medical Car
Driver + Doctor + First Aid

Trackside (At Marshals’ Posts)
Doctor or First Aid

Medivac Helicopter
Based outside Medical Centre

Communications with medical services

Activation of medical/rescue services following an incident

Initial request by IO on post (in conjunction with any on-post doctors/first aid personnel) to Chief IO in race control.

Decision made in race control based on post IO`s recommendation and CCTV, in consultation with Clerk of Course and CMO.

Medical/Rescue on standby.
(Lights on, engine running)

Activation of medical/rescue services following an incident

Pace car/red flag as necessary in consultation with Clerk of Course.

Appropriate medical/rescue services scrambled to the scene.

Medical assistance should arrive on scene within 90 seconds of the order to scramble.

Radio traffic during activation of medical/rescue services

Radio silence except for important information relevant to the incident.

EXACT location of incident.

Number of casualties.

Condition of casualties:
Trapped
Serious injuries

When will a doctor be needed trackside?

In any situation where there are doubts about about the ability of the marshals/first aid personnel on scene to deal with the casualties injuries or their consequences.

It is better to call for a doctor unnecessarily than not call for a doctor and end up with a disabled or dead casualty.

Situations that will need a doctor trackside.

Any casualty whose breathing is compromised.

Any trapped casualties.

Any casualty complaining of abdominal or chest pain (internal injuries).

Any casualty who has been unconscious or appears confused and cannot be evacuated to the medical centre immediately.

Any casualty who remains unconscious or who loses consciousness at any time after the incident (severe head injuries).

Any casualty with a suspected spinal injury.

Any casualty with MAJOR fractures or burns that cannot be evacuated to the medical centre immediately (risk of shock).

Any casualty with burns around the head/face or who has suffered smoke inhalation.

Any casualty in severe pain who cannot be evacuated to the medical centre immediately.

IF IN DOUBT CALL FOR A DOCTOR

(You will probably get a rescue unit as well!)

Rescue unit response times

Theory - 90secs. to arrival on scene.

Practically - including making the decision, waking up the crew etc. 3-5mins.

This means that as a marshal on post, you may have to provide the initial resuscitation for a driver before the arrival of the rescue unit.

Cervical Spine Control

Always possibility of neck injury in high speed impact or roll

If the bones of the neck are injured, movement of the neck can result in permanent paralysis

Immobilise neck manually

Do not attempt to remove crash helmet unless it is necessary to gain access to the airway

Do not attempt to right an overturned car unless it is necessary to gain immediate access to a trapped driver

index Back to home page