The Truth About Medical Helicopter Crashes

Why do so many medical helicopters crash?

It’s a fair question.

One that begs an answer.

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably asked yourself this very question, right?

You’re a smart person, and you know most air medical crews are smart too.

Common sense tells you these professionals are taking every safety precaution possible.

Nobody rational goes to work thinking it’s their last day alive. No flight crews get into medical helicopters unless they believe it’s safe.

Yet...

Medical helicopters keep crashing.

Why?

Before I share the EMS Flight Safety Network opinion on why medical helicopters crash, I want to address some of the arguments (ones I know you’ll hear), about why medical helicopters crash.

It should go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway.

The goal of all discussion regarding medical helicopter crashes is to prevent future crashes. Period.

Sadly, there are places on the internet where other agendas win out. That’s the reason I’m stating the obvious. Understandably, there’s a ton of emotion attached to every EMS helicopter crash.

When highly trained professionals risk their lives to help others, and then lose their lives in the process, it’s tragic and emotional.

No doubt about it.

That’s one of the reasons it’s important to talk about medical helicopter crashes. The best way to honor the memory of lost air medical crews is by taking personal responsibility for making air medical better and safer. Burying your head in the sand will not bring lost crews back to life, or protect future crews.

Answers about why medical helicopters crash are hard to find. Why?

Because truth is a tough demon to fight. It’s much easier to hide behind emotion than to address real issues.

When it comes to answers about why medical helicopters crash, my best advice is to constantly remind yourself that every health system, helicopter company and association has an agenda.

An agenda bigger than any one helicopter crash.

All have biases and preconceived ideas about what’s most important when it comes to medical helicopter safety.

These biases influence how they share information about medical helicopter crashes, and what actions they take to prevent them. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But it is something you definitely want to keep top of mind.

Never forget that your best advocate for crew safety is you.

Don’t be fooled by the “smoke and mirrors” of statistics from government agencies with unlimited budgets, time and people – who coincidentally, NEVER fly on medical helicopters.

If you’re professional air medical crew, wannabe crew or just someone who loves helicopters: remember that if something just plain feels wrong, it doesn’t matter how many people try to convince you it’s a new and better way. It’s still just plain wrong.

It really is that simple.

You’ve probably heard the cliche about opinions and a-holes, right?

Well, there’s some truth to it.

Everyone has an opinion about why medical helicopters crash, but very few of these opinions have any basis in reality. Even fewer opinions come from people who have ever flown in medical helicopters.

This creates some practical challenges.

Think of it this way: you can’t lose weight reading a book about weight loss, right? You have to actually take action and DO the steps required to lose weight. Everyone gets this. But there are still thousands of weight-loss diets and libraries full of books about the best ways to lose weight.

And here’s the kicker: when it’s all said and done – move more, eat less – never really changes when it comes to weight loss.

Information about Medical helicopters works the same way.

You can find all kinds of information about medical helicopter crashes, but very little of that information is practical or useful. Most of the information has nothing to do with why helicopters crash and how to prevent future crashes. It’s typically one of two things:

1. A wolf in sheep’s clothing – meaning it’s “safety information” with the real intent of forwarding a company or association agenda.
2. Big data – reams of statistics and information that unfiltered is virtually useless.

But don’t take my word for it, do your own investigation.

Even a small amount of research will quickly lead you to conflicting information about why medical helicopters continue to crash.

So what’s the solution? Start by knowing and understanding your sources.

The air medical industry likes to point fingers at information availability.

What is information ava...