The Advanced Flight Nurse (AFN) programme is delivered across five progressive training days. Each module builds on the previous day, moving participants from the foundations of aeromedical physiology through advanced critical care, operational awareness and integrated aeromedical simulation.
Day 1 — Foundations & Aeromedical Physiology
Develop a strong foundation in the principles of aeromedical nursing and understand how the flight environment can affect patient physiology and clinical care.
Key Learning Areas:
- Role and responsibilities of the Advanced Flight Nurse
- Aviation and aeromedical physiology
- Effects of altitude and cabin pressure
- Hypoxia and gas expansion
- Effects of flight on critically ill patients
- Transport-related clinical risk conside
Day 2 — Advanced Assessment & Critical Care
Focus on systematic assessment, stabilisation and advanced nursing management of patients requiring critical care transport.
Key Learning Areas:
- Pre-transport patient assessment
- Clinical risk identification and stabilisation
- Airway and respiratory management
- Mechanical ventilation during transport
- Cardiovascular and haemodynamic management
- Recognition and management of patient deterioration
- Practical critical care skills
Day 3 — Complex Critical Care Transport
Explore the management of complex and high-risk patient populations during aeromedical and critical care transport.
Key Learning Areas:
- Critical care pharmacology during transport
- Neurological emergencies
- Trauma and surgical patients
- High-risk patient management
- Paediatric and obstetric considerations
- Special patient populations
- Clinical contingency planning
Day 4 — Aeromedical Environment & Operational Awareness
Understand the unique operational environment in which aeromedical teams deliver patient care and how clinical and operational considerations interact during a mission.
Key Learning Areas:
- Aircraft environment and patient safety
- Aeromedical equipment and resource planning
- Medical oxygen considerations
- Patient and equipment restraint principles
- Human Factors and Crew Resource Management (CRM)
- Situational awareness and team communication
- Bed-to-bed aeromedical mission coordination
This module provides operational awareness relevant to aeromedical healthcare personnel and does not constitute pilot or flight-crew training.
Day 5 — Emergencies, Simulation & Assessment
Bring together the knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme through realistic clinical scenarios, practical application and competency assessment.
Key Learning Areas:
- Clinical emergencies during transport
- Airway and ventilation emergencies
- Haemodynamic deterioration
- Equipment and oxygen-related contingencies
- Operational challenges affecting patient care
- High-fidelity scenario-based training
- Capstone aeromedical mission simulation
- Competency-based assessment
Integrated Learning Approach
Throughout the five days, participants learn through a combination of theory, case-based discussions, practical skills, clinical scenarios, simulation and competency assessment.
The programme is designed to develop not only aeromedical knowledge, but also the clinical judgement, anticipation, communication, teamwork and situational awareness required when caring for critically ill patients in the transport environment.
Assess. Anticipate. Stabilise. Transport. Lead.
