Which Ambulance is Best for you?
Let’s help you choose
If you are thinking of hiring an air ambulance provider, one of the first questions you might ask is “which type of air ambulance do I need?” The answer will depend on the particular circumstances of your case. The company will take into account the patient’s medical condition, the distance to the destination, number of companions and the urgency of the patient’s case. Make sure you tell the provider all the facts and information about the patient’s condition so the provider can help you make an informed choice about the type of air ambulance that you’ll need.
Two Main Types of Air Ambulance
An air ambulance is a custom configured helicopter or fixed wing aircraft that transports both emergency and non-emergency patients from one location to another. An air ambulance is used when distances or terrain make it impractical to use a conventional ground ambulance to transport sick or injured people. An air ambulance has medical equipment for monitoring and treating injured or ill patients, and is staffed by a medical team trained to care for the specific needs of patients. An air ambulance can either be part of government-funded air medical service, or private companies that offer medical air transportation services on a fee-for-service basis. We will focus on the types of air ambulances used by private air medical flight providers.
- Rotary-Wing (Helicopter) Air Ambulances – This aircraft type refers to helicopters since the term rotary-wing refers to the rotating wings or “blades” of a helicopter when it’s flying. A helicopter is used to transport patients over relatively short distances. A major advantage of a helicopter air ambulance is their ability to land in greater variety of locations such as roads, paved areas, parks or fields, in rural areas, moving vessel or cramped urban environments, and other locations where restrictions in space will not be a hindrance. However, since helicopters have a relatively short travel range, they are primarily used for emergency cases in which a patient who requires immediate medical care can be transported as quickly as possible. Aside from that cabin space is limited which reduces the number of companions that can go with the patient.
- Fixed-Wing (Airplane) Air Ambulances – This aircraft type can refer to either propeller-driven or jet-powered aircraft with wings that do not move or are “fixed” in a specific part of the aircraft. A major advantage of a fixed-wing aircraft is typically having a spacious cabin area than helicopters that allows it to accommodate extra companions if desired and have advanced medical equipment that provide critical care and life support for patients. Propeller-driven aircraft can usually travel much longer distances than most helicopters, but they cannot match the speed and range that jet aircraft offer. That’s why medium-sized business jets that have been specifically modified for air medical transport services have become an important part of the air ambulance fleet of many air medical providers. A jet aircraft can transport patients across long distances at faster speeds, higher altitudes and with fewer refueling stops, thus making it possible to avoid turbulence and bad weather conditions. All of this means faster and more comfortable trips to the patient’s destination. Jets though require longer runway length than turboprop or propeller driven aircraft so this factor is also considered by air ambulance companies.
Medresponse ambulance services is available to provide a quote or to answer any questions you might have about ground and air ambulance services. We invite you to contact us through email or give us a call at +639171859911
