e. To minimize the spread of contamination inside the MEDEVAC aircraft, plastic sheeting should be placed under the litter to catch any contaminant that drips off the patient or litter. The plastic sheeting can be removed with the patient, removing any contamination with it. When plastic sheeting is not available, placing a blanket under the litter will reduce the amount of agent that makes contact with the inside of the aircraft.
NOTE
The key to mission success is detailed preplanning. A HSS plan must be prepared for each support mission. Ensure that the HSS plan is in concert with the tactical plan. Use the plan as a starting point and improve on it while providing HSS.
f. Medical evacuation by United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft will be severely limited until runway repairs and decontamination has occurred. Aerial flights from contaminated areas into uncontaminated airspace and destinations may be impossible for extended periods of time; some nations will not allow patients from contaminated areas to travel through or over their country. Therefore, patient holding on-site (or in theater) for an extended period of time must be anticipated.
g. Patient protection during evacuation must be maintained. Patients that have been decontaminated at the PDS at an MTF will have had their MOPP ensemble removed. The forward deployed MTFs will not have replacement MOPP ensembles for the patients. These patients must be placed in a patient protective wrap (PPW) before they are removed from the clean treatment area for evacuation (see the PPW instruction sheet/PPW label for use of the PPW). The PPW provides the same level of protection as the MOPP ensemble. The patient does not have to wear a protective mask when inside the PPW. The patient is placed inside the PPW that is on a litter. The PPW may also have a battery-operated blower that can provide a reduction of the body heat load and reduce the carbon dioxide level within the PPW. The PPW will provide protection for the patient for up to 6 hours and is a one-time use item. The blower is reusable, remove it and the attachment devices from the used PPW and return it to the patient movement items inventory. See FM 4-02.1 for a discussion on patient movement items.
WARNING
DO NOT place contaminated patients in the PPW. It is for use with uncontaminated/decontaminated patients only.