When a situation comes up that is dire and urgent enough to warrant the need for an air evac service, it can be very hard to choose a service. There are numerous things to be considered when making such an important choice. This article will go over those factors and hopefully aid in making an informed choice when it comes to picking an air evac service.

The first thing that must be thought about is the plane itself. If possible, pick a service with aircrafts that come with with sizable fuel tanks, so as to minimize fuel stops that might delay the delivery of the patient. A large aeroplane with a sizable fuel tank usually also comes with a larger entry doorway, which will make loading and unloading less difficult.

An additional factor to know about an air evac service is how many pilots they have per plane. Having 2 pilots is surely more desirable than having a single pilot, as there will be a guarantee or safety net if ever something happens to one of the pilots. Also, learn about how the air evacuation service chooses their pilots. Ask how many hours pilots are required to have flown before being permitted to fly their air ambulance aircraft. 2,000 hours of flight experience is usually a prudent number.

Aside from 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 caring for and handling the safety of the passenger on board. The quality of the medical staff is paramount. Not all air evacuation services ready their medical crew for flight-specific crises and circumstances. Be sure to pick a service that has taken the initiative to do so.

One more factor to consider is how well equipped an air evac service’s aeroplane is. Medical equipment seems like it should be the same for all air ambulances, but due to the large costs of maintenance, many air evacuation services charter out their air crafts. As a result, 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 undertake.

There are also air evac services that employ open policies about people accompanying the patient. Patients are most likely to handle the flight better when surrounded by family or friends, so this is a vital matter to think about. Some air evac services will allow family and friends onboard, but for a high amount. It would be a good idea to look for a service that allows at least a couple of people on the plane with the passenger, for free.

Be sure to select 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 staff on the patient’s status and give them all the data they will be in need of.

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.