The following guidelines may be used to determine if EAGLE III helicopter or fixed wing aircraft should be dispatched:

• Enhanced care is required for the patient during transport
• An area will be without EMS coverage for an extended time if ground transport is utilized
• Weather or road condition delays that would adversely affect patient care
• Near drowning, hypothermia, or hyperthermia
• Motor vehicle, farming, industrial or hunting accidents causing life-threatening injuries
• Gunshot wounds and other penetrating critical injuries
• Respiratory distress due to spinal injuries or other trauma
• Extrication from motor vehicle accidents requiring more than 15 minutes
• Ejection from the vehicle
• Partial or total amputation of an extremity, excluding digits
• Burns on face, neck or chest or any burns causing respiratory distress
• Serious abdomen, chest or head injuries
• Altered level of consciousness due to head injuries
• Obstetrical emergencies (premature labor or bleeding)
• Cardiovascular emergencies (irregular heart rhythm, shock, myocardial infarction, thrombolytic therapy, unstable angina, pacing, leaking aneurysm)
• Neurological emergencies (CVA and uncontrolled seizures)
• Respiratory emergencies (ARDS, asthma, COPD, anaphylaxis)
• Other emergencies (overdoses or GI bleeding)

Preparing the Landing Zone l Patient Preparation