The devastating tsunami that hit South East Asia and surrounding areas in December 2004 emphasized more than ever the need for dedicated international air ambulance providers. Within 24 hours of the disaster, medical personnel had been flown in from around the world to assist with the casualties, which numbered into the tens of thousands. In cases of natural disasters, companies such as these ensure that help is at the end of a telephone and that medical and airlift services can be dispatched within minutes to areas where assistance is needed. The demand for international air ambulance services is rising steadily around the world each year. Highly trained physicians and paramedics are better equipped than ever before to deal with medical emergencies to provide stabilization and intensive care. The added benefit is that airlift ensures that the patient is transferred to hospital care by the quickest and safest means possible. According to the circumstances and the landing conditions, specially equipped aircraft from turbo prop planes, to helicopters to leer jets are dispatched to provide on-the-spot medical treatment and transfer.

In-Flight Intensive Care: Amazingly, international air ambulances are now able to provide comparable treatments to many Emergency rooms and Intensive Care Units. Paramedics can provide ventilation, defibrillation and a full range of treatments to keep their patients in stable condition while traveling. Many air ambulances are staffed with flight surgeons, critical care physicians and other specialists. International air ambulance care can be called upon for all types of urgent, life-threatening illness or injury. Whether an individual has fallen sick due to infection, allergic reaction or sudden illness, paramedics can be dispatched to even the most remote locations around the world.

As the population ages, the risk of heart attack, stroke and related complications is on the rise and for these situations, immediate stabilization and rapid transfer to a hospital unit can prevent long-term damage. For younger, thrill-seeking age groups, international air ambulance services are often called upon following skiing, surfing or adventure sport accidents. As was the case in the Tsunami, international air ambulances are an invaluable aid in moving the most critical patients out of the affected area. Medical Care in Your Home Country: In cases of expatriates or tourists falling ill or becoming injured, medical insurance that includes international air ambulance coverage allows the patient to have the option of returning to their home country. By seeking treatment at home, the patient has several advantages: they can select their physician or medical center of choice, communicate with health care staff in their first language and have the support of family and friends in familiar surroundings. Medical insurance that offers this type of comprehensive coverage for international air ambulance is becoming more and more sought after each year. Public awareness has improved and travelers have started to realize the benefits of being air lifted to the area of their choice, instead of falling at the mercy of the local transportation and health care systems if they become unwell. And if the unexpected should happen, financial worries due to medical costs are that last thing that people want in addition to coping with an emergency.