When to send an Emergency Medical Helicopter

An emergency medical helicopter is often sent to accidents likely involving traumatic injury. Specially trained, professional dispatchers decide when to send a helicopter to a trauma accident.

A helicopter may also be used for the rapid transport of medical patients who require critical-care medicine and equipment en route. These flights are staffed with medical professionals trained in administering critical care to patients who may require:

• Invasive monitoring
• Thrombolytics
• Vasopressers
• Blood administration
• Advanced airway management
• A ventilator
• Other critical care procedures