When a situation comes up that is dire and urgent enough to justify the use of an air evac service, it can be very troublesome to select a service. There are many points to be contemplated when making such an important decision. This article will go over those factors and hopefully help in making an informed decision when it comes to picking an air evac service.
The first thing that must be considered is the plane itself. If possible, select a service with aeroplanes that are equipped with sizable fuel tanks, so as to decrease fuel stops that might detain the delivery of the patient. A large aircraft with a sizable fuel tank usually also comes with a more massive entry doorway, which will make loading and unloading easier.
One more factor to know about an air evac service is how many pilots they have per aeroplane. Having 2 pilots is definitely preferable than having one pilot, as there will be an assurance or safety net if ever something happens to one of the pilots. Also, find out how the air evacuation service selects their pilots. Ask how many hours pilots are obligated to have flown before being qualified to fly their air ambulance aircraft. 2,000 hours of flying experience is generally a prudent number.
Aside from the flight crew, one must also mull over the caliber of the medical staff on board. The pilots may be flying the plane, but these are the people who will be looking after and handling the safety of the passenger on board. The quality of the medical staff is crucial. Not all air evacuation services train their medical crew for flight-specific emergencies and situations. Be sure to select a service that has self-motivation to do so.
One more factor to think about is how well equipped an air evac service’s aeroplane is. Medical equipment seems like it should be identical for all air ambulances, but due to the sizable costs of maintenance, many air evacuation services charter out their planes. Due to this, many aeroplanes do not have the whole array of the medical equipment that might possibly be necessary. This is a chance that one should never be willing to go through.
There are also air evac services that employ lax policies about people traveling with the patient. Patients are far more likely to take the flight better when surrounded by family or friends, so this is a significant factor to consider. Some air evac providers will let family and friends onboard, but for a hefty price. It would be a good idea to opt for a service that lets at least a couple of people on the plane with the passenger, at no charge.
Be sure to pick an air evac service that offers bedside to bedside service. This means that the flight and medical crew will be with the patient until he or she reaches the hospital or medical facility. This way, the medical crew can brief the hospital team on the patient’s status and give them all the data they will require.
Denise K. Wayne is a long-time expert on air evac services. One can learn more about the way to evaulate an air ambulance at her site.