Sound Pressure Levels inside the cabin of the rotary and fixed-wings of Santa Catarina State during aeromedical transfers

The need to transfer patients has the main purpose of taking the patient to a location that has superior resources that do not are available at the place of origin. Due to the lack of information related to the sound pressure levels of rotary-wing aircraft, all pediatric aeromedical transports performed by the Aerial Operations Battalion are carried out by fixed-wing aircraft. When transportation is not possible with the airplane, this is mandatory carried out by ambulance. To provide criteria for a technical decision whether to use aircraft or ambulances for pediatric aeromedical transports noise measurements were carried out in the interior of AS350 B2 and AW 119MkII helicopters and Cessna 210N, Cessna 206H and Embraer EMB-820C airplanes. Aircraft were equipped with recording equipment (microphone and SQuadriga II) and flew with cruise speeds. Mean LpAeq in AS350 aircraft (n=6) were 93dBA@ 100kt and 95dBA @110kt (doors closed [DC]), 97dBA @ 100kt and 99 dBA @110kt (left rear door open [DO]). LpAeq standard deviation was 2dB @ 100kt and 1dB@110kt [DC] and 1dB in both speeds/DO. Mean LpCeq was 109dBC@100kt[DC], 110dBC@110kt[DC] and 123dBC@100kt and 124dBC@110kt (left rear door open). LpCeq standard deviations were 2dB in both speeds [DC], 2dB @ 100kt and 1dB @110kt [DO]. Mean LpAeq in AW119MKII aircraft (n=3) were 100dBA@130kt and 102dBA@140kt. LpAeq standard deviation was 2dB in 130kt and 3 dB at 140kt. Mean LpCeq were 117dBC@130kt and 119dBC@140kt [DC] and the LpCeq standard deviation was 2db for both speeds. In the C-210N (n=5) mean LpAeq were 91 dBA@ 140kt with 1dB of standard deviation. Mean LpCeq were 104dBC@140kt with OdB standard deviation. In the C-206H (n=7) mean LpAeq were 92 dBA@115kt with OdB standard deviation. Mean LpCeq were 107dBC@115kt with 1dB standard deviation. In the BE-55 (n=15) mean LpAeq were 89 dBA@130kt with 1dB standard deviation. Mean LpCeq were 104dBC@130kt with 1dB standard deviation. In the EMB-820C (n=13) mean LpAeq were 96 dBA@200kt with 1dB standard deviation. Mean LpCeq were 103dBC@200kt with 1dB standard deviation. LpAeq measured on the AS350 were 3 to 4 dBA higher and 7 to 8 dBA [DO] also higher than planes. Measured LpAeq in AW119 were 8 to 9 dBA higer. The data can be used by the operators to build or change protocols involving patients transportation, especially newborns. resumo in Portuguese contributions).