Sea-level flights are crucial when it comes to flying patients with certain serious health conditions because of air pressure changes. They ensure the safety of patients for whom high level altitude and oxygen drops can be a problem. What are the specificities of a sea-level flight and when to choose one?
Sea-level flights: all you need to know
Sea-level flights are conducted on ambulance jets and aim at reducing risks associated with reduced barometric pressure in the cabin.
During a sea-level flight, the cabin pressure is regulated so that it mimics the pressure at ground level.
Sea-level flights are needed in some medical situations: recent surgery, traumatic injuries, severe respiratory diseases, and cardiac disease, amongst others.
What is a sea-level flight?
Carried out on air ambulance jets, sea-level flights reproduce the air pressure that prevails at lower altitudes and more specifically at sea level. The cruising altitude for this flight is adjusted so that it’s lower than usual allowing the special pressurization of the cabin. They have been designed to mitigate the physiological effects that atmospheric pressure changes at higher altitudes might have on patients.
Besides providing an adequate environment for patients with specific conditions, sea-level flights also guarantee expert medical care. With specialized medical equipment on hand, health professionals can monitor the patient’s vitals, administer necessary medication in a timely manner and intervene in case of in-flight emergencies.
Why is a sea-level flight needed?
With its special features, a sea-level flight differs from commercial flight and ensures the safe and efficient transportation of patients with certain medical conditions. Surviving on a commercial flight without the pressurization of the cabin would be impossible for patients with certain medical conditions. For this reason, regular flights cater for air pressure similar to that at 2500 m high. Although healthy passengers can withstand this difference in air pressure and fly without any issues, this would not be the case for patients who might experience discomfort or a deterioration of their medical symptoms.
Reduced barometric pressure changes trigger physiological effects which can aggravate already existing medical conditions. Those are:
Expansion of gases in the body;
Trapped gases which can exert pressure on adjacent organs;
Decrease in the oxygen supply in the body.
When a patient is considered ‘’not fit to fly’’, a sea-level flight can allow them to fly safely without experiencing major issues. The pressurized cabin allows for optimal oxygen supply, prevents the expansion of gases and lowers compression risk of surrounding organs or tissue. Sea-level flights eliminate the risks of medical complications associated with higher altitudes and consequently changes in atmospheric pressure. Patients are less likely to suffer from:
Hypoxia which is caused by the inadequate supply of oxygen; which is particular dangerous to people with cardiac problems;
Breathing issues;
Decompression sickness which can have dangerous consequences including seizures, paralysis, confusion or memory loss.
Medical conditions requiring a sea-level flight
Decreased air pressure while flying could lead to potential damages for some people. Medical conditions and risk factors that can be affected by high altitude include:
Recent surgical wounds;
Head injuries or traumatic injuries;
Air pockets in the lungs (pneumothorax) or in the brain;
Anemia;
Bowel obstruction;
Cerebral edema;
Severe respiratory disorders (COPD, ARDS, pulmonary fibrosis)
Serious cardiovascular diseases.
How do we ensure your safety when conducting a sea-level flight?
When conducting a sea-level flight, we ensure that safety measures of the highest standards are applied. We deploy all efforts and resources necessary for our patient’s well-being:
The patient’s condition is the first decisive factor in establishing whether a sea-flight is required or not. A thorough consultation and extensive medical assessment is performed to ensure that we are fully aware of the patient's medical condition and its intricacies.
Before the flight, we make all the arrangements to ensure that the aircraft is properly configured for the sea-level flight and that our team is properly briefed regarding the patient's medical situation. Furthermore, the acquired experience of our pilots make for smooth sea-level flights. Adhering to the highest safety protocols, they guarantee that our patients are transported safely while maintaining the ideal pressurization to avoid any complications associated with air pressure. Our seasoned pilots are also well armed to respond to emergency situations enabling worry-free medium- and long-distance transfers for our patients.
During a sea-level flight, the patient is under the constant care of a highly trained medical team. Well-versed in in-flight emergency situations, they are capable of providing urgent medical assistance and cater to the needs of the patients. At MTI 24/7, our medical personnel are carefully selected based on the patient’s medical conditions. Hence whether you require a specialist physician or a reinforced medical staff, we can always mobilize the right team for an optimal and enhanced experience with us. Focusing on our patient’s well-being, our dispatched team prioritizes an empathetic approach at all times.
While the expertise of our medical personnel is vital to our patient’s security, having the appropriate medical equipment during the flight is equally important. Patients requiring a sea-level flight might also need advanced medical equipment. Geared with cutting-edge medical equipment, our ambulance jets have been designed to mirror intensive care units enabling our medical staff to offer appropriate medical attention at all times. Our ambulance jets can also be tailored to the needs of our patients, hence additional medical equipment can be boarded.
What are the benefits of booking a sea-level flight with us?
Boasting several years of experience in air transportation services and having a thorough knowledge executing sea level flights make us a trusted partner for your medical evacuation or medical repatriation. Booking your sea-level flight with us comes with several advantages:
Bed to bed service: this all-inclusive service allows for a seamless transfer for critically-ill patients. As such, the patients are taken care of from their hospital bed and transferred safely to their destination address accompanied by a qualified medical team. Ground transportations with a medical staff are also planned to avoid any physical strain. We ensure coordination with all involved parties guaranteeing a smooth transfer.
Holistic approach: We not only prioritize our patient’s physical well-being but also his emotional needs. At every stage of the transfer, we provide support wherever and whenever needed.
Rapid deployment: We are aware that when transporting severely ill patients, time is of the essence. This is why we ensure timely transfers and we can generally deploy an air ambulance rapidly, generally within 24 to 48 hours.
Multilingual team: fluent in at least 15 languages, our team is here to help you eliminate any language barriers you may experience.
Customized quotation: our quotations are elaborated in all transparency on a case-by-case basis with no hidden fees or extra charges.
Get in touch with us for a sea-level flight
Available round the clock, our team can guide you and provide the right assistance in regards to sea-level flights. Do not hesitate to contact us and non-binding quotation. Reach to us by phone, mail or our contact form and we will immediately get back to you for a free consultation session.
Reach us by:
Phone: USA: +1 646 335 06 83 / UK: +44 20 3608 0959
Email: info@mti-247.com
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