This is a bunch of crap, I understand that as these helicopters crash the survivability rate is very small. but the benefit of having a fast rapid transport is incredible. how many cars crash every day? how many people die in car crashes every day? I live in a town where our nearest ALS is 130 miles away (granted i do blame the city for not doing something about this) but still we average 2 flights a week out here on a slow time. Chopper transport and Fixed wing are a VERY valuable assest to us and with out them i think we would see a higher mortality rate with our patients then what we do now. I am all for air transport. I feel horrible for the families that lost loved ones in this crash. I personally had a Lifeflight helicopter crash that was on the way to one of my scenes. Its a horrible feeling to know that they died coming out to help you. But dont we face the fear of not returning home any time that alarm goes out? Do we not know the risks. Again i am all for Air Transport. Good luck and Be safe! Godspeed

Air transport is great to have. In certain areas the hospitals are not tramua centers.?The nearest hospital were the pt has a fighting chance are at least 2hrs away. Air transport is great saves many lives.You cant just fly people just on mechinisim alone they must have other signs that makes the decison to fly or not fly.Alot of transport decison come from local sogs and such. That weeds out the people that get flown that dont really need it.

And how many of those patients are you transporting based on protocol alone? You heard the stats- 25% of air transport patients WALK OUT OF THE ER. Translation: THEY DIDNT NEED THE BIRD.

I wont even tell you how many times Ive seen services with a 20-minute ground transport times waiting onscene for 25 minutes to fly the patient. Or ground-transported patients beating air-transported patients from the same scene to the ER.

A major medical center here in town has mandated that all inttrahospital transports be done by helicopter. Many of these facilities are 10-15 miles away. This is being done to promote the medical center and its new aircraft

Air medical helicopters are a another toolin the tool box. Good Judgement and yes training Results in appropriate use of resources. By the way was that 25% discharged after Ultra sounds and CT etc. Wow we dont carry those on our rescues. Maybe I should error on the side of caution and take the patient to the appropriate facility.

I totally agree, as a flight medic I am often frustrated by the number of patients we transport that were well suited for ground transportation. As those that know me, know I have no problem speaking my mind, there are several factors that contribute to the needless use of air transportation. First, is the competition between air medical programs, we need to be able to land evaluate the patient and then deny transport based on protocols and physical findings. Rather we transport everyone for fear we may upset a ground provider and look inferior compared to our competition. Second is laziness on behalf of ground providers, as Mr. Bledsoe stated in the article most patients would be better off or equally treated in a ground ambulance. The problem is we would rather call a helicopter instead of driving an hour to the hospital, Shame on us. Last would be the "thrill" of having a helicopter part of your call. It seems to take it to the next level so to speak. In closing I will agree with most of the comments preceding mine. Helicopters are useful in remote areas, or areas then lack ALS, but there is definitely a flaw in the system when you can land at a scene pick up your patient and arrive at the hospital only to find another patient from the same accident arrived there first by ground. I have transported a lot of critically ill patients that have benefited greatly by the use of air transport but for every one of those I have transported two that did not need it. In more than one case the patients have been discharged prior to returning to our base. Keep in mind Albany is extremely suburban with its most rural areas only 45 minutes to an hour from the trauma center. There are many other areas throughout the country that due to terrain, distance or resources, helicopters provide a crucial role in the care and transport of even the most insignificant emergencies but I can assure you they don������������t scratch the surface of the total use of helicopters. In closing may God bless the Pilots, Paramedics, Nurses and patients involved in all crashes especially those in Flagstaff as well as their families.

You also have to consider the ground transport taking 90 minutes or more removes that ambulance from its service area leaving some more rural folks without EMS

I question some of the statistics used in this article. This particular quote seems rather spectacular and I wish the author would reference research.

"From 2002 to 2005, one of about every 50 medical helicopters in the U.S. fleet was involved in a crash, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service."

I do agree that multiple industry wide and program specific issues need to be addressed. Some of those issues have been identified in this article. I wonder what consequences would result if these deaths were a consequence of medical error? My hope is that long term improvements in HEMS safety are initiated and not just ignored as time goes by.

My sympathy to those involved in recent and previous accidents.

Ive been in fire EMS for 16 years ,at first we rearly called for a chopper, but now we use them for major trauma , cardiac things of that sort. Im my area we are at least 70 miles from a major trauma center, we have a major highway running right though the middle of my fire district also. I wonder if these experts that seay we dont need as many air transports as we have have ever been in the situation myself and many other responders are faced with each day. Air meds are a great asset and should be used to there fullest extent. It saddens me to hear of e med flight crash,but as with all emergency responders we know the benefits outweight the risk. To all those who have died in the line of duty i salute you and your families.

I dont see this "argument" being any different from the questions and comments about ground apparatus accidents. It is EVERYONES responsibilty to ensure the safety of our crews and ourselves and you dont trash a program that works when all it needs is some extra fine tuning.

Here in Alaska, if it wasnt for air transports (most done by military helicopters and private fixed wing) we would be in a world of hurt and tragedy.

With over 14 years experience as an aircraft crewman on Army CH-47, UH-1H, and UH-60 helicopters, it is always a team effort to ensure the safety of our crew, cargo/passengers, and the general public and it can be done when you slow down and do your job. As a civilian public safety professional, I am always reminding our guys to remember - the badge doesnt cover your whole body and the lights/siren dont demand others yield, it asks. If we all remember this, more of us will be able to go home and not have to see each other at a family members funeral.

All our prayers and best wishes to the family and friends of those lost in this tragedy.