Typically, a medical flight involves an air evacuation, or air evac service offered for the ill and injured. This important information for you to know because someday it could substantially reduce the time needed to transport you from the scene of an accident to a hospital. Keep reading to learn a little bit about medical flights – you might even learn some things that could help you decide on one in the future.
Generally speaking, the most typical passengers on these flights are individuals who have sustained serious trauma, respiratory failure, brain injuries, or heart complications.You will find that air evac services and other types of medical flight offer 3 levels of care to best treat the individual on board:
- Simple life support: This sort of attention is perfect for individuals with somewhat mild medical conditions, possibly needing breathable air or IV supplementing.
- Advanced life support: patients in need of this category of treatment require higher amounts of consideration. There may be need for multiplied checking of the issue on a continual schedule together with the means to access intravenous amenities and medicine dispensaries.
- Critical care support: a ailing person in need of this kind of specific assistance will need continuous inspection, typical drug maintenance, utilization of highly specialized equipment and various specialized gizmos that help to preserve life in a crisis.
While not every air evac provider maintains the same standard for care, the more responsible companies will share the following principles:
Specifications. Aircraft should be chosen for both cost efficiency and fuel economy. Wide entryways are also essential because they allow for convenient entry/exit from the aircraft.
Training. Medical staff on board will undergo arduous training programs prior to working on the aircraft. Such rigorous standards ensures patients receive only the best care.
Regulations. Compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policies for all aircraft flying above 29,000ft. These practices are important because flying at this elevation means a faster journey and comfort and ease to the affected person.
If you or someone you know finds themselves in a situation requiring 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 consult with the company to determine whether using a road ambulance or an air ambulance is needed.