Typically, a medical flight involves an air evacuation or air evacuation service being offered to the sick and injured. It is important that you know this information because one day it could substantially reduce the time it takes to transport you from the scene of an accident to a hospital. Read on to learn a bit about medical flights; You might even learn a few things that might help you decide on one in the future.
Generally speaking, the most typical passengers on these flights are people who have suffered severe trauma, respiratory failure, brain injury, or heart complications. You will find that air evacuation services and other types of medical flights offer 3 levels of care to best treat patients. person on board:
- Simple Life Support – This type of care is perfect for people with somewhat mild medical conditions, possibly requiring breathing air or intravenous supplements.
- Advanced Life Support: Patients needing this category of treatment require further consideration. There may be a need for multiple problem checking on an ongoing schedule along with the means to access IV services and drug dispensaries.
- Intensive Care Support: A sick person needing this type of specific assistance will need continuous inspection, maintenance of typical medications, utilization of highly specialized equipment, and various specialized gadgets that help preserve life in a crisis.
While not all air evacuation providers maintain the same standard of care, the most responsible companies will share the following principles:
Specifications. Aircraft should be chosen for both cost effectiveness and fuel economy. Wide entrances are also essential because they allow for convenient entry/exit of the aircraft.
Training. Onboard medical personnel will undergo arduous training programs before working on the aircraft. Such rigorous standards ensure that patients receive only the best care.
Regulation. Compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policies for all aircraft flying above 29,000 feet. These practices are important because flying at this altitude means faster travel and comfort and peace of mind for the affected person.
If you or someone you know is in a situation that requires air ambulance service, having the most basic understanding of medical flights could help you decide on a carrier and know what to look for. Of course, if you’re not sure if you need medical flight services, you can always check with the company to determine if you need to use a road ambulance or an air ambulance.
