What is an air ambulance?
If you or a loved one has ever experienced a medical emergency far from a hospital, you know that getting advanced care quickly can mean the difference between life and death. An air ambulance can provide that crucial speed and level of care in critical situations. But what exactly is an air ambulance, and when might you need one?
An air ambulance is an aircraft specially outfitted to transport patients requiring medical attention and intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring to hospitals. Unlike a typical plane or helicopter, air ambulances contain state-of-the-art medical equipment and are staffed by highly trained medical personnel. This allows them to provide ICU-level treatment in flight.
Types of Air Ambulance Aircraft
There are several types of aircraft that can be used as air ambulances:
* Jets: Jets are the fastest type of air ambulance and can fly longer distances without refueling. They allow for quick transportation across states or countries.
* Propeller airplanes: slower than jets but able to reach destinations hundreds of miles away. They have more space for medical staff to treat patients in flight.
* Helicopters are ideal for shorter flights and reaching patients in remote locations like mountains. Helicopters can land in small clearings near an emergency scene.
At Vi-CCAAS, we utilize a customized fleet of jet aircraft dedicated solely to air ambulance services. Our jets are outfitted with up-to-date medical technology and equipment that essentially makes them flying ICUs. This allows our teams to provide specialized in-flight care for critically ill or injured patients being transported to hospitals in India or internationally.
Life-Saving Medical Capabilities
Air ambulances contain much more than just a stretcher. They have a range of medical devices and capabilities found in a hospital ICU, including:
* Monitoring equipment: heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate monitors.
* Advanced airway management: ventilators, intubation equipment, and oxygen.
* IV pumps and line: for providing medications/fluids.
* Suction units: for clearing airways.
* Defibrillator: For reviving cardiac arrest patients.
* Specialized stretchers: Allow securing patients and providing treatment during turbulence.
* Medications: broad range of drugs for emergency care.
* Specially trained staff: doctors, nurses, and paramedics provide expert care.
At Vi-CCAAS, we pride ourselves on having the most advanced medical air transports in India. Our customized jets can accommodate portable ECMO machines for cardiac and respiratory support as well as intra-aortic balloon pumps for stabilizing blood circulation. Our experienced medical escorts monitor patients continuously throughout the duration of a flight.
