Frequently Asked Questions
 Why
can't the client's family do the transport?
This is a matter for the client and the client's
doctor. In many cases such as sprains and mild trauma
the family is perfectly capable of helping out.
However, for someone recently hospitalized for a
serious injury or illness, who may be deconditioned,
or who requires professional assessments during
the trip, and treatment based on those assessments
to prevent further deterioration, a family member,
even one in the medical profession, does not have
the altitude physiology background, diagnostic equipment,
as well as the supplies to treat their loved-one
for an unforeseen complication occurring 35,000
feet above the ground, especially for a flight over
large bodies of water,
when there is nowhere to divert immediately
.
Do
we really need this service?
Modern medicine has taught us the support a patient
receives after treatment is every bit as important
as the treatment itself. Without good post-trauma
care, a small incident can
escalate
into something
serious.
An
example: for someone with a cast, would the family
member know to request the cast be split before
flying so there is no possibility of circulatory
compromise? What if the client with a broken leg
develops sudden pain in his toes, and his toes were
cold. Would the family member know what to do to
prevent possible permanent tissue damage due to
lack of circulation? It is important not only to
insure the patient is transported without incident,
but to also educate the family or friends of the
patient in how to best aid recovery
once they are home
Why
can't the flight attendant do this? 
It's true, many flight attendants are trained in
basic emergency care. But there are a few issues
here:
The flight attendant also has a
few other people to please, namely the other 180
people on the plane.
The flight attendant may recognize a medical emergency, but does not have the assessment skills to determine what is causing the emergency, based on the passenger's medical history, nor have the tools to treat the problem properly.
The reason for having a medical
escort in the first place is to recognize the client's
deterioration early, and prevent an emergency from
occurring.
By the time a flight attendant recognizes a case of severe oxygen desaturation, damage may already have occurred.
A trained escort who knows the client's history and initial assessment can better maintain the client's condition, as well as providing comfort on an ongoing basis.
 How
sick can a person be and still travel?
This judgment is made by the attending physician, in collaboration with AME's medical director and the airline's medical desk (who has the final say).
What
are the qualifications of the escorts?
All of our escorts have a minimum of 5 years critical
care and/or emergency experience. Some have also
worked as flight nurses on air ambulances.
Our escorts receive specialized training about altitude
physiology and altitude's effect on both healthy
and ill people.
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