Over the last three decades, the air medical helicopter transport industry has grown to include hundreds of air medical transport helicopters nationwide. Thirty years ago, if the local, and solitary, air ambulance provider turned down or aborted a flight request due to weather, that was the end of it. Today, if a program turns down or aborts a flight for any reason, it is easy for EMS or hospital personnel to request an alternative aircraft from a variety of surrounding locations. The nationwide availability of multiple aircraft has created a situation in which EMS agencies may continue to call air medical resources until one responds. This situation has become so common it is known as "helicopter shopping."

     The majority of fatal air medical helicopter accidents since 1998 have occurred at night, in bad weather, or both. While helicopter shopping is not the cause of these accidents, the International Association of Flight Paramedics (IAFP) believes it is a contributing factor. To clarify, we do not believe the request of additional air medical resources is an inherently hazardous event. "Helicopter shopping" creates an additional risk for crews and patients because of the way it is carried out. Poor communication and lack of information sharing between requesting agencies and air medical helicopter transport organizations is at the center of this issue. The IAFP believes that if one helicopter is unable to respond or has to abort a request for a patient transport, under certain conditions, another helicopter may be able to complete the mission safely.

Eliminate Shopping Around
     The IAFP recommends the following practices to eliminate "helicopter shopping":