Clear Skies Ahead’s Post

Highly specialized professionals, such as first responders and military personnel, often have access to therapists or support specialists who come from the same domain. This model works because workers in specialized fields respect and trust those who share their experiences and understand the unique challenges of their profession. As someone with 30 years of experience in Canadian aviation, my goal is to extend this model to aviation professionals. Confidentiality remains the cornerstone of any client-therapist relationship, but for aviation crews, it carries particular significance—allowing them to seek support outside of aviation medical frameworks. https://lnkd.in/gCByWNch

Such an important conversation and first step on a forward path. So many people are hiding, instead of fixing, mental health issues. The concept of removing pilots from their roles the moment they seek help, for safety, is ironically the opposite of the intention... (Thank you Joshua Freund for sending) #aviation #militaryaviation #aviationindustry #pilot #pilotlife #health #mentalhealth #ptsd #pilottraining #conversation #information #airplane #aircraft #aviationlovers #avgeeks #military United States Air Force

With the most recent fatality due to High altitude decompression sickness, it's great to see 345th Medical Group and the 168th working up their austere hyperbaric capabilities using the Hyperlite 1. Portable hyperbarics permit a transfer under pressure up to altitudes of 17,999 ft unpressurized; allowing for rapid transport of DCI casualties to a mulit-place facility while still conducting HBOT. In the case of the Hyperlite 1, it's maximum operating depth is 23 MSW permitting operators to conduct TT5, TT6 and TT6 Extended. Rapid HBOT is the gold standard of care for DCI casualties, delay in treatment only serves to increase the risk of permanent injury or even death. Kudos to the USAF for excercising this extremely important capability! #dcs #dci #hyperbaric #highaltitude #parachuting #diving #military #parachuting #USAF #USN #SOCOM #RCAF #RCN #HBOT #UHMS #ASMA #PIA

RESERVE ERSS- FULLY CAPABLE TO SUPPORT WORLDWIDE NAVAL OPS Congratulations to Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical Suite (ERSS) Team 17 who passed their Operational Readiness Evaluation (ORE) recently. This makes them a fully capable and eligible to provide medical support to Navy Operations worldwide. ERSS Team 17 is unique because they are now the first reserve ERSS to complete this process.  OREs require teams to prepare for months before being tested against a curriculum designed to assess not only medical skills, but logistical and operational proficiency. For ERSS Team 17, this readiness process spanned three years and included basic training, advanced military training, and finally certification. This timeline accommodates reservist medical providers, many of whom are healthcare providers in the United States. In spite of their dual responsibilities, ERSS Team 17 is certified to the same level as their active duty counterparts.  Certifying ERSS teams, which are usually composed of seven people, are able to provide life-saving stabilization, damage control surgery, and evacuation in austere medical environments where larger medical units might not be able to enter. The Navy is pursuing additional ERSS team certification for both active duty and reservist teams. https://lnkd.in/g5FX-N8U

“In the realm of military aviation, the health and safety of our pilots are paramount. These men and women navigate the skies, often in the most demanding and high-stakes environments imaginable. Their well-being is meticulously managed by specialized aerospace medicine doctors like Lt. Col. Theresa Long, who dedicate years to understanding the unique medical needs of pilots. But recent concerns have surfaced, raising alarms about the long-term impacts of certain medical interventions. Dr. Long's observations are unsettling. She reports a range of severe health issues—from strokes and clots to cancers and thyroid dysfunctions—that are not typically seen in individuals fit to fly aircraft. These symptoms, she notes, can manifest weeks or even months after vaccination, contradicting the standard two-day grounding period post-vaccination. This discrepancy is particularly troubling in a field where even a minor health issue, like a cold, can temporarily ground a pilot. The implications of these findings extend far beyond the military. If such health concerns are significant enough to ground our most elite pilots, what does this mean for commercial aviation? Every day, millions of people entrust their lives to pilots who operate under the same physiological stresses and regulatory environments. If similar health issues are affecting civilian pilots, the risk to everyday air travel is a matter of grave concern. This is not about inciting fear but about fostering a critical dialogue. The health of those who carry the weight of our safety in the skies must be protected with the utmost rigor and transparency. As Dr. Long highlights, dismissing these concerns or staying silent due to fear of professional retribution does a disservice to the principles of leadership and courage that our military and medical communities stand for. In understanding and addressing these issues, we honor not only the lives of our service members but also the millions of passengers who rely on safe air travel every day. It’s a call to examine and act upon the evidence before us, ensuring that the guardians of our skies are as protected as they protect us.” - 𝒥 #military #activeduty #medical #experiment #aviation #pilots #safety #health #unitedstates

🚀 CerviFit® Featured in U.S. Air Force Study! ✈️ We’re proud to announce that the CerviFit®, our patented neck strengthening and stabilization tool, has been featured in a study by the U.S. Air Force. This groundbreaking research aims to explore how CerviFit® can enhance neck strength, reduce injury, and improve performance for airmen operating under intense physical demands. It’s an honor to support those who serve with innovative tools such as Cervifit designed to promote health and resilience. If you are a Human Performance Professional and would like more information of how you can proactively mitigate cervical MSK to the population in your charge, please email asp@cervifit.com https://lnkd.in/ehTFM286 #CerviFit #InnovationInHealth #USAirForce #PerformanceOptimization #NeckHealth

With its first helicopter, Jackson-based AirCare 1, UMMC began flight transportation services for patients. Over the years, the flight program added AirCare 2 in Meridian, beginning in 2009; AirCare 3 in the Golden Triangle (Starkville/Columbus/West Point), beginning in 2016; and AirCare 4 in Greenwood, beginning in 2017. This expansion meant AirCare serves the entire state of Mississippi and patients could also be carried to hospitals other than UMMC. For the safety of the patients and crew, the UMMC aircraft feature autopilot systems, color weather radar, anti-collision instruments and night vision goggles. Staffed by specially trained nurses and critical care paramedics, AirCare is able to care for patients of all ages, including newborns; it offers the only neonatal flight team in the state. https://bit.ly/400HyeC

🙌🏥 🎉 Celebrating Excellence in Patient Safety! 🎉 I am proud to see our Military Health System (MHS) earn a Grade A safety rating from Leapfrog—a testament to the unwavering commitment of our healthcare teams to deliver safe, high-quality care to service members, retirees, and their families. As someone deeply engaged in healthcare quality and patient safety, I know achieving this recognition is no small feat. It reflects a collective effort across diverse teams who focus on reducing harm, improving processes, and sustaining a culture of safety—hallmarks of a High Reliability Organization (HRO). This achievement underscores the importance of continuous improvement, team collaboration, and evidence-based practices in creating environments where every patient receives exceptional care. Kudos to all the professionals—clinical and non-clinical—who play a role in achieving and maintaining these high standards. This is more than just a grade; it’s a symbol of the trust we’ve earned and the promise we hold for the future of military healthcare. Let’s continue striving for excellence as we serve those who serve us all. #MilitaryHealthSystem #PatientSafety #HighReliability #LeapfrogSafetyGrade #NationalCaptialRegion