Surge in air ambulance accidents...

Hello all,

I am a brand new RN looking to eventually become a flight nurse! It has been my dream for a long time, and am looking forward to a possible ride along in the fall. However, the number of recent crashes (ie the collision in flagstaff, AZ) has left me wondering... is this branch of the profession doomed to be phased out due to safety reasons? I am also beginning to have second thoughts about going on the ride along. I want to continue to pursue it, but now im not sure.....

Any thoughts?

Hello all,

I am a brand new RN looking to eventually become a flight nurse! It has been my dream for a long time, and am looking forward to a possible ride along in the fall. However, the number of recent crashes (ie the collision in flagstaff, AZ) has left me wondering... is this branch of the profession doomed to be phased out due to safety reasons?
No, I don't think that HEMS will be phased out due to LACK of safety. However, declining reimbursements from insurance companies, rising fuel cost/operating cost and over saturation of the market will limit growth and eventually we will start to see isolated programs shut down.
There is considerable variability in the HEMS industry regarding safety and there is no panacea to preventing HEMS crashes. However, one major step forward would be to have dual piloted AC with NVG and IFR capabilities. So why not ? ... because it would cut into the corporate profits ! ie.. "the bottom line."
The FAA will eventually seek to mitigate safety variables via regulation.

I am also beginning to have second thoughts about going on the ride along. I want to continue to pursue it, but now im not sure.....

Any thoughts?

However, one major step forward would be to have dual piloted AC with NVG and IFR capabilities.

To discuss things further in light of yet another tragic crash, let me take a step back on the NVG stance? Should we even fly at night? NO!
Should we fly if there is even a chance of poor weather? NO!
Should we even be flying most of our patients? NO!
Come clean now, how many of us are flying patients with minor problems. EVERYONE!
Hey, I understand business, capitalism, and wanting to make a buck. However, when we have a fly by night HEMS service on every corner flying every possible patient and competing ferociously with the next guy, do we really have a recipe for safety? I think this years statistics alone prove that no, we don't have a recipe for safety.