An air ambulance is often the transport of choice when a traditional ambulance cannot arrive at the scene quickly, when a patient needs to be taken a far distance, the transportation is over a terrain that is not easily traveled by traditional ambulance, or the patients' location is remote. They are also used if the sick or injured person is out of the country.

Patients transported via an air ambulance reach a hospital in a fraction of the time it would take them to travel by land. Air ambulances are often used on critically ill or injured patients as well as used on accidents scenes to quickly remove the patient from the situation and take him to the hospital. Premature babies that need to be transported to a neonatal care unit are sometimes transported via an air ambulance that is equipped with incubator and ventilator equipment. Air ambulances are often used in organ transplantation whereby an organ transplant team flies to a hospital to obtain the donor organ and then flies back with the organ to the hospital where the organ transplant is taking place.

Every air ambulance is well-equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, including medications for many types of health situations. The personnel aboard the air ambulance are well-trained in advanced medical procedures as well as a vast array of medical emergencies. Most air ambulances are equipped with an ECG, CPR equipment, ventilators and stretchers at a minimum. As such, aircrafts chosen for air ambulance transport are highly sophisticated and contain the latest life-saving and life-sustaining medical equipment.

If you find that you require the services of an air ambulance for a loved one, you may have a few questions. You may wonder if you will be able be transported along with your loved one. In most cases, the answer is yes. Most air ambulances allow at least one seat for a family member, which also helps to support your love one and put them at ease during the flight.

Even with all these benefits of air ambulance transportation, it is not without its challenges. The noise factor is high, especially in helicopters, which makes it more difficult for medical staff to communication with each other and the patient. The space is tight, making it more complicated to perform medical procedures. Furthermore, the medical and flight staff must be knowledgeable about pressure changes within the aircraft cabin.