Overview
This unit will offer you a comprehensive introduction to retrieval medicine relevant to critical care paramedic practice. You will explore the basic principles of aviation as they relate to the clinical retrieval of unwell patients. You will gain an understanding of the safety considerations associated with both rotary and fixed-wing retrieval platforms. You will evaluate the impact of flight on normal and altered physiology to enable you to optimise care in this environment. Furthermore, this unit will assist you to distinguish the non-technical skills used to complement technical skills utilised in aeromedical retrieval, as well as develop knowledge surrounding the identification and mitigation of retrieval challenges.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Self reflection
As this unit matures, the inclusion of additional retrieval subject matter experts will enhance its quality and strengthen the reputation of the CM12 degree overall.
It is recommended to engage with colleagues to identify and appoint domain subject matter experts to assist with this unit. Leveraging the expertise of retrieval specialists will not only strengthen the academic rigour and relevance of the unit but also contribute to enhanced student learning outcomes and the continued growth of the CM12 reputation.
- Explain the basic principles of aviation as they relate to the clinical retrieval of unwell patients
- Identify and discuss safety considerations associated with both rotary and fixed-wing retrieval platforms
- Evaluate the impact of flight on normal and altered physiology
- Distinguish the non-technical skills relevant to aeromedical retrieval that are used to complement technical skills
- Identify and mitigate retrieval challenges.
n/a
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 30% | |||||
| 2 - Case Study - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Essay - 40% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||
| 4 - Research | |||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 30% | |||||||||
| 2 - Case Study - 30% | |||||||||
| 3 - Essay - 40% | |||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
n.williams-claassen@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to aeromedical retrieval.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Flight physiology.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Stressors of flight.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to flight regulations.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for flight.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Aircraft safety and winch retrieval.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Special considerations 1.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Special considerations 2.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
Human factors.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Non-technical skills (NTS).
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Non-technical skills (NTS).
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Case studies in retrieval medicine.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Case Study
Following a head-on collision motor vehicle accident, the unrestrained driver, a 45-year-old male patient requires retrieval from a rural hospital. Fixed-wing and rotary aircraft are available. The total distance to and from the retrieval site is 400km.
The physical examination reveals:
- A cerebral contusion.
- Spinal injuries.
- Fractured ribs on the left lateral aspect of the chest.
The latest set of patient clinical observations are:
- GCS 12 (E3 V4 M5).
- Heart rate 50 bpm.
- BP 143/73 mmHg.
- BGL 6 mmol/L.
- The patient is breathing spontaneously at 12 – 18 breaths per minute.
- Spo2 94% on Fio2 100% non-rebreather mask.
- EtCo2 43 mmHg.
You must address the following based on best international practices and contemporary evidence in retrieval medicine:
- Critically evaluate the key flight physiology that relates to the hypothetical patient.
- Critically discuss management considerations pertinent to the provided case, including predicted clinical progression and mitigation of clinical challenges, as well as equipment limitations and mitigation of equipment challenges.
- Based on your analysis, determine and rationalise the optimal transport platform for the provided case.
Week 5 Friday (10 Apr 2026) 11:45 am AEST
Week 7 Friday (1 May 2026)
The expected word count for your case study is 2000 words, excluding references. You will be assessed in accordance with the rubric provided on the unit Moodle page.
Criteria include:
Overall presentation
- Organisation of your case study.
- Writing mechanics.
- Word count.
- In-text referencing.
- Reference list.
Content
- Introduction to the case.
- Critical evaluation of key flight physiology.
- Critical discussion of management considerations.
- Rationalisation of optimal transport platform.
- Summary of the case.
This case study is worth 30% of the marks for this unit.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 3: You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.
- Explain the basic principles of aviation as they relate to the clinical retrieval of unwell patients
- Evaluate the impact of flight on normal and altered physiology
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
2 Case Study
A 34-year-old male has been trail running in Springbrook National Park, Queensland, on a remote escarpment track known for steep terrain and dense subtropical rainforest. He has a history of type 1 diabetes and exercise-induced asthma.
At the start of his run, he reported feeling “slightly off” with mild nausea but attributed this to inadequate breakfast. Approximately four hours later, a bystander contacted emergency services after finding him sitting beside the track, appearing pale, diaphoretic, and confused. He is complaining of chest tightness, marked shortness of breath, and profound weakness. He is unable to stand unassisted.
The caller reports that the patient’s continuous glucose monitor alarm has been sounding intermittently. The patient states he “may have miscalculated” his insulin dose earlier in the day. He also reports that his partner tested positive for influenza A two days ago, and he began developing a mild cough this morning.
You have the following relevant operational information:
- Aircraft: AW139 Helicopter (winch-equipped)
- Ground resources: QPS and QAS bush response team deployed on foot; ETA to patient approximately 2.5–3 hours
- Local time: 1645 hrs
- Last light: 1807 hrs
- Estimated winch height: 180 ft through broken canopy
- Terrain: Steep escarpment edge, confined landing area not suitable for Landing Zone
- Weather: Thunderstorms forecast from 2100 hrs with associated low cloud and turbulence
Your response to this assessment requires you to consider a range of operational retrieval challenges. You must address the following based on best international practices and contemporary evidence in retrieval medicine:
- During cruise flight to the scene, you discuss possible retrieval operation options for patient access and egress with the team. Given the available information, evaluate the options available and choose the most appropriate for the situation. Discuss your analysis of and how you would mitigate against the associated risks of your selected retrieval plan.
- You have been winched into the scene with a doctor. There are no other ground personnel present. What is your preferred equipment to recover the patient, and why?
- Examine the safety considerations associated with this retrieval operation, regardless of the Influenza A implication. Provide an appropriate patient safety brief based on the method of access and egress.
- Provide a treatment plan for your patient, considering the unique challenges of a contagious pathogen transport scenario.
Week 8 Friday (8 May 2026) 11:45 am AEST
The expected word count for your case study is 2000 words, excluding references. You will be assessed in accordance with the rubric provided on the unit Moodle page.
Criteria include:
Overall presentation
- Organisation of your case study.
- Writing mechanics.
- Word count.
- In-text referencing.
- Reference list.
Content
- Introduction to the case.
- Discussion of access and egress, with consideration and mitigation of associated risks.
- Critical evaluation of choice of equipment.
- Articulation of safety considerations, including patient safety brief.
- Comprehensive treatment plan nuanced to the retrieval environment.
- Summary of case.
This case study is worth 30% of the marks for this unit.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 3: You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.
- Identify and discuss safety considerations associated with both rotary and fixed-wing retrieval platforms
- Identify and mitigate retrieval challenges.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
3 Essay
You are required to write an essay that critically examines the role and relevance of non-technical aviation skills within the aeromedical retrieval environment.
In your essay, you must:
- Clearly define and distinguish non-technical skills (e.g., communication, situational awareness, leadership, teamwork, decision-making, workload management) from technical, clinical and aviation competencies.
- Analyse how these non-technical skills complement and enhance technical performance in aeromedical retrieval operations.
- Critically synthesise an evidence-informed argument either supporting or challenging the formal adoption, integration, and structured training of non-technical skills for aeromedical and medical transport specialists.
Your discussion should demonstrate an understanding of the operational, clinical, and human factors challenges inherent in aeromedical retrieval practice.
Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026) 11:45 am AEST
Exam Week Friday (12 June 2026)
The expected word count for your essay is 2500 words, excluding references. You will be assessed in accordance with the rubric provided on the unit Moodle page.
Criteria include:
Overall presentation
- Organisation of your case study.
- Writing mechanics.
- Word count.
- In-text referencing.
- Reference list.
Content
- Clear and concise introduction
- Identification and discussion of relevant non-technical skills
- Critical distinction between non-technical and technical skills
- Integration of contemporary literature and evidence
- Synthesis of a coherent, well-supported argument
- Strong summary and conclusion
This essay is worth 40% of the marks for this unit.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 3: You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.
- Distinguish the non-technical skills relevant to aeromedical retrieval that are used to complement technical skills
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
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Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
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As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
