Every day people are transported in air ambulances for both emergency and non-emergency reasons. Often a medical flight is simply a way to transport a patient from one medical facility to another, perhaps in a different state or even country. Perhaps a patient needs the attention of a physician trained in a medical specialty that is not available where they live.

Even though the reasons for the medical flights may vary, whenever someone needs air transportation for medical reasons the plane should be properly equipped with the right medical flight equipment as well as properly trained medical personnel.

Before an assignment of aircraft is made, a trained coordinator should make the determination based upon the distance of the flight, the size of the nearest airport, and his or her knowledge of the city of destination. The goal is to arrive at the final destination with as little stress and disturbance to the patient as possible. It is important that the company you choose has the right medical equipment to best fill the needs of each patient.

Special monitors that are designed to read and diagnose the vital signs of a patient are critical for air ambulances. Many monitors have been specifically designed for use on medical transport flights. Without going into a lot of scientific jargon, air pressure at varying altitudes can affect monitors. Therefore it is essential that the monitors used on board are designed for use on air ambulances.

Many cardiac patients, as well as other patients who are critically ill, may require more than one IV line so that the medical staff can administer both fluids and life-saving medications. Infusion pumps are vitally important, therefore, on every medical flight. Patients who were once considered too ill to travel by air can now be safely transported. This is largely due to the advancements of the infusion pumps which are now used on medical flights.