If a situation appears that is dire and critical enough to justify the need for an air evac service, it can be very difficult to select a service.  There are a number of factors to be considered when making such a critical decision.  This article will breeze through those factors and hopefully aid in making an educated decision when it comes to choosing an air evac service.

The first thing that must be thought about is the aeroplane itself.  If possible, select a service with aircrafts that are equipped with big fuel tanks, so as to minimize fuel stops that might hold up the transfer of the patient.  A large aircraft with a big fuel tank usually also comes with a bigger entry doorway, which will make loading and unloading smoother.

Another factor to learn about an air ambulance service is how many pilots they have per plane.  Having two pilots is definitely better than having a lone pilot, as there will be a sense of security or safety net if ever something happens to one of the pilots.  Also, ask about how the air evacuation service selects their pilots.  Ask how many hours pilots are obligated to have flown before being permitted to fly their air ambulance aircraft.  2,000 hours of flying experience is usually a conservative number.

Aside from 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 very important.  Not all air evacuation services train their medical crew for flight-specific emergencies and conditions.  Be sure to select a service that has vision to do so.

One more factor to think about is how well decked out an air evac service’s aircraft is.  Medical equipment seems like it should be the same for all air ambulances, but because of the sizable costs of maintenance, many air evacuation providers rent out their planes.  As a result, many planes do not have the complete array of the medical equipment that might possibly be needed.  This is a chance that one should never be willing to go through.  

There are also air evac services that have open policies about people riding with the patient.  Patients are most likely to handle the flight better when surrounded by family or friends, so this is an important factor to consider.  Some air evac services will let family and friends onboard, but for a expensive amount.  It would be a good idea to look for a service that lets at least a couple of people on the plane with the passenger, for free.

Be certian to choose an air evac service that gives bedside to bedside service.  This means that the flight and medical crew will stay with the patient until he or she arrives at the hospital or medical facility.  This way, the medical crew can report to the hospital staff on the patient’s status and provide them all the data they will need.

Denise K. Wayne is a long-time authority on air evac services. One can read more about how to hire an air evac on her website.