Rethinking the Safety of Medical Helicopters

Friday, July 26, 2013 at 05:22 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The perception of EMS helicopter flying as exceptionally dangerous, intensified by a spike in fatal crashes in 2008, led to NTSB investigations and widespread public concern.
However, statistical analysis reveals that EMS helicopter safety, measured per flight hour, has actually improved over decades, with the 2008 spike being an anomaly amid rapid industry growth.
The high-profile and often catastrophic nature of EMS crashes, frequently occurring in challenging conditions (night, poor visibility, unprepared sites), contributes to a distorted public perception of overall danger.
Both the industry and regulatory bodies are actively implementing numerous safety improvements, including advanced technology, enhanced training, risk management, and operational culture changes, to further mitigate risks and reinforce the critical, life-saving role of air ambulances.