When a situation comes up that is dire and urgent enough to call for the use of an air evac service, it can be very troublesome to select a service. There are numerous things to be thought about when making such a critical selection. This article will go through those factors and hopefully assist in making an informed decision when it comes to picking an air evac service.
The first thing that must be considered is the aircraft itself. If possible, select a service with aircrafts that are supplied with big fuel tanks, so as to lessen fuel stops that might detain the delivery of the patient. A large aircraft with a large fuel tank usually also comes with a larger 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 two pilots is definitely preferable than having a single pilot, as there will be a sense of security 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 recommended to have flown before being qualified to fly their air ambulance aircraft. 2,000 hours of flying experience is usually a conservative number.
Besides the flight crew, one must also consider the quality of the medical staff on board. The pilots may be flying the plane, but these are the people who will be taking care of and ensuring the safety of the passenger on board. The ability of the medical staff is paramount. Not all air evacuation services ready their medical crew for flight-specific emergencies and situations. Be sure to choose a service that has taken the initiative to do so.
One more point to consider is how well outfitted an air evac service’s plane is. Medical equipment seems like it should be identical for all air ambulances, but due to the large costs of maintenance, many air evacuation services rent out their air crafts. As a result, many planes do not have the complete array of the medical equipment that might possibly be required. This is a risk that a person should never be willing to take.
There are also air evac services that have lax policies about people traveling with the patient. Patients are far more likely to deal with the flight better when accompanied by family or friends, so this is a vital matter to ponder. Some air evac providers will permit family and friends onboard, but for a hefty price. It would be a good idea to opt for a service that permits at least a couple of people on the plane with the passenger, for free.
Be sure to pick an air evac service that offers bedside to bedside service. This means that the flight and medical crew will accompany with the patient until he or she gets to the hospital or medical facility. This way, the medical crew can inform the hospital crew on the patient’s status and give them all the information they will be in need of.
Denise K. Wayne has been studying air evac services for over a decade. One can research about air ambulances at her website.

