If a situation comes up that is dire and critical enough to call for the use of an air evac service, it can be very troublesome to choose a service. There are many things to be considered when making such an important selection. This article will go over those factors and hopefully aid in making an educated choice when it comes to selecting an air evac service.
The first thing that must be considered is the aeroplane itself. If possible, pick a service with planes that come with with large fuel tanks, so as to lessen fuel stops that might detain the delivery of the patient. A large plane with a big fuel tank usually also is equipped with a larger entry doorway, which will make loading and unloading easier.
Another factor to know about air ambulances is how many pilots they have per aircraft. Having two pilots is surely better than having one pilot, as there will be an assurance or safety net if ever something happens to one of the pilots. Also, ask about how the air evacuation service chooses their pilots. Ask how many hours pilots are required to have flown before being qualified to fly their air ambulance aircraft. 2,000 hours of flying experience is generally a conservative number.
Besides the flight crew, one must also consider the caliber of the medical team on board. The pilots may be flying the plane, but these are the people who will be looking after and dealing with the safety of the passenger on board. The quality of the medical staff is paramount. Not all air evacuation services prepare their medical crew for flight-specific crises and circumstances. Be sure to choose a service that has taken the initiative to do so.
One more thing to ponder is how well outfitted an air evac service’s plane is. Medical equipment seems like it should be the same for all air ambulances, but due to the sizable costs of operation, many air evacuation services lease out their aeroplanes. Because of this, many aircrafts do not have the whole array of the medical equipment that might possibly be needed. This is a chance that a person should never be willing to go through.
There are also air evac providers that employ open policies about people accompanying the patient. Patients are far more likely to deal with the flight more easily when accompanied by family or friends, so this is a significant matter to think about. Some air evac providers will permit family and friends onboard, but for a hefty amount. It would be a good idea to opt for a service that allows at least a couple of people on the plane with the passenger, at no charge.
Be sure to pick an air evac service that provides 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 report to the hospital team on the patient’s status and provide them all the information they will need.
Denise Q. Wayne is an authority on air evac services. You can learn much more regarding how to select an air ambulance on her site.
