Air ambulances are usually the fastest way to transport patients during emergencies, but many people wonder if they are really safe. Despite the fact that this form of transportation carries more risk than traditional vehicles, federal agencies, pilots and the entire medical community strive to provide a high level of safety for each participating person.
Only in the last decade has the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made the following changes to encourage safety on board:
- Recommended Risk Reduction Training for Flight Personnel
- Offers advanced night training for pilots and operators
- Gives a high level of training for flying in inclement weather.
- Encourage more advanced devices to help navigate
- Introduced conventional mechanical checks
Historical data
Experts report that air ambulance traffic increased by more than 50% compared with the figures for a decade ago. Currently there are about 80 different companies that offer medical transportation in this country, flying more than 400,000 people annually.
Flight vs. Medical Safety
It is important to realize that flight safety and medical safety are two different things. The FAA is primarily concerned with safety issues and, in particular, seeks to reduce the number of accidents.
Interestingly, ambulance companies are not required to perform all FAA safety programs. Last year, the FAA collected these data on companies involved in such security initiatives:
- Risk Reduction Training: 94%
- Advanced Pilot Training: 89%
- Flight Control Centers: 89%
- Alarm recording devices: 11%
- Equipment to reduce accidents: 41%
On the other hand, medical security is more often handled by organizations such as the Commission for Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems or CAMTS. This group offers various training courses and education for flight crews, pilots, and medevac companies.
Other Security Considerations
Like last year, the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) teamed up, encouraging all air ambulances to strictly consider the introduction of airborne safety devices and flight protocols that can be observed on more traditional flights.
Rainy weather
While medical assessments rarely occur during difficult weather conditions, emergency pilots still rely on a system that dictates the expediency of flying during storms and extremely dangerous weather conditions. About five years ago, new equipment appeared on the market - providing pilots with more relevant information on weather conditions and greater visibility.
Word of caution
The FAA, the NTSB and several other federal agencies provide oversight of the most basic flight safety. Thus, the standard operating practice is left to the discretion of each individual air ambulance company.
When choosing suppliers and companies that offer such medical air transport, it is reasonable to ask about the extra precautions taken to ensure an excellent level of patient care during the flight. CAMTS is an excellent resource that consumers can use, and offers useful points of conversation that should be discussed before making a final transportation decision.
Another important resource for those seeking an exceptional level of security is the FAA. Anyone can go online and get acquainted with the latest recommendations and initiatives created to improve patient safety during these medical flights.
