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| Hermann Hospital Life Flight |
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by Angelique Siy and Christof Spieler
The Life Flight helicopter's altitude varies during flight, but it usually stays between 200 and 600 feet above the ground. Life Flight, established on Aug. 1, 1976 by Dr. James "Red" Duke, was the first civilian air ambulance service in Texas. It covers a 150-mile radius that includes southeast Texas and parts of Louisiana; it can reach most Harris County locations in less than 15 minutes. Its crew, pulled from a staff of 14 pilots, 13 flight nurses, 12 paramedics, 20 communications specialists and six mechanics, gets off the ground in four to seven minutes after receiving a call. The helicopters are equipped with cardiac monitor/defibrillators, oxygen, suction, endotracheal intubation and ventilation supplies, emergency medications and intravenous fluids and splinting equipment. The crew flies approximately 2,800 missions a year and has flown more than 50,000 missions. Each German-made BO 105 and BK 117 helicopter is capable of transporting two patients and cruises at 130 miles per hour. Life Flight maintains three helicopters. The annual cost of the services Life Flight provides is more than $3 million, none of which is supported by tax dollars. Life Flight accepts calls from law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency ambulance services, physicians, hospitals and industrial safety representatives.
This item appeared in the Features section of the September 26, 1997 issue. |
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