Air Ambulance is a relatively new industry. It was only in the 1900s that helicopters were introduced to transport patients from one hospital to another. The first civilian air ambulance service was created by Charles Lindbergh, who also helped create an air ambulance program for the French government during WW1. The first medical aircraft accident occurred in 1940 when five people on a plane died after it crashed into some power lines outside Chicago — the pilot was hit by lightning and couldn’t see where he was going! (In fact, this article is about how airplanes can save lives). So yes: airplanes can save lives!
1918 Air Ambulance Service in World War 1
The first air ambulance service was established in 1918 during World War 1. Aircraft were used as ambulances for the first time and also for medical evacuation vehicles.
1932 First Civilian Air Ambulance Service
The first civilian air ambulance service was established in 1932. It transported a patient from Los Angeles to San Francisco, which was 180 miles away. The hospital in San Francisco agreed to accept the patient at no charge, so this service was provided by a commercial airline (Pacific Air Transport) for publicity purposes.
1972 First Air Ambulance Helicopter Introduced
In 1972, the first air ambulance helicopter was introduced. A Bell Jet Ranger helicopter was used to transport patients from a remote area in North Carolina to a hospital for treatment. This was the first time that an air ambulance had been used in the United States since helicopters had been invented only a few years before.
1989 Transport of Blood and Blood Products for Transfusion by Helicopter and Airplanes
In 1989, a company called Medicare Air Ambulance Service was formed. The company was the first to provide blood and blood products for transfusion by helicopter and airplanes and ground vehicles. This service became known as “Air Ambulance.”
The 1990s
In 1992, Medicare Air Ambulance received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to transport patients in need of emergency or critical care by air ambulance from one medical facility to another. These types of flights are usually referred to as Emergency Medical Services Flights (EMS).
Air Ambulance is a relatively new industry. It started in the early 1900s and has come a long way since then. Air Ambulance is an important service that saves lives every day, and it’s also one of the most important parts of our healthcare system.
