Making a split-second decision about which air ambulance service to call in an emergency situation can be overwhelming. When seconds count, you want to make sure you choose a reputable company that can get your loved one the medical care they urgently need.
This guide breaks down the key differences between two major players in the air ambulance industry – Survival Flight and Air Evac – to help you determine which is the right choice.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Particulars | Survival Flight | Air Evac |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 1985 |
| Coverage Area | 28 states | 15 states |
| Number of Aircraft | 90+ | 130+ |
| Medical Crew | Nurses & paramedics | Paramedics & nurses |
| Initial Training | 800+ hours for nurses | 12-48 hours |
| Safety Rating | ARG/US Platinum | CAMTS & EURAMI accredited |
| Membership Cost | $125 per household | $85 per household |
| Insurance | In-network with major insurers | Out-of-network costs can apply |
Overview Of Survival Flight And Air Evac
Both Survival Flight and Air Evac are membership-based air ambulance services operating helicopters and airplanes across multiple states in the USA. Here is a quick rundown of their key features:
Survival Flight
- Founded in 2001 in Arkansas
- Serves 28 states with over 90 aircraft
- Owned by Air Methods Corporation
- Charges $125 annual membership fee per household
Air Evac Lifeteam
- Founded in 1985 in Missouri
- Serves 15 states with 130+ aircraft
- Operated by Air Evac EMS Inc, part of the Global Medical Response family
- Charges $85 annual membership fee per household
Also Read: Comparison Between SkyMed And Medjet
Comparison Between Survival Flight And Air Evac
Coverage Area
A key consideration is whether Survival Flight or Air Evac operates in your area. Survival Flight has a larger service area, operating in 28 states across the Central, Southern and Midwestern regions. Air Evac’s network is concentrated in the Midwest and Southeast regions, covering 15 states.
Check the coverage maps on their websites to see if either service is active near your home, work, school or other locations you frequent. Consider getting membership with a provider that can service multiple important addresses in your life.
Aircraft Capabilities
Both companies utilize helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for medical transport. Helicopters are useful for shorter distance transports and landing in areas without airports. Fixed-wing planes can fly longer distances at higher speeds.
Survival Flight boasts a larger fleet of over 90 aircraft compared to 130+ for Air Evac. They both use medically-configured Bell, Eurocopter, Cessna and Piper aircraft with cutting-edge equipment suitable for critical care in the air.
The higher number of aircraft for Survival Flight may mean more availability and options in responding to emergencies in their wider service region.
Medical Crew Training
You want highly skilled medical crews treating patients in-flight. Survival Flight and Air Evac both have intensive training programs for their aviation and medical personnel.
Survival Flight crews include registered nurses and paramedics with critical care experience. Air Evac relies more on flight paramedics and nurses for medical care.
Both services require ongoing training and recertification for their clinical teams. However, Survival Flight highlights their nurses undergo 800+ hours of initial orientation – significantly more than a typical 12-48 hour introductory course. This may provide a higher level of care.
Emergency Response Process
How quickly can an air ambulance get to the emergency site after you call? Survival Flight positions aircraft and crews for faster launch times at strategic bases across their service regions.
Air Evac also has dispatch centers coordinating aircraft and crew deployments. They pride themselves on rapid response time averages.
Be sure to provide accurate incident details and GPS coordinates when calling either service to assist with prompt dispatch. Survival Flight may have an edge with more bases and aircraft across a larger geography.
Also Read: Choose Between Viking Air And Viking Air Plus.
Membership Cost
Survival Flight has a higher $125 yearly fee for an entire household versus $85 per household for Air Evac. However, Survival Flight offers discounts for adding multiple households at an address under one membership.
Consider if the wider coverage area, larger fleet, and nursing emphasis of Survival Flight warrant the higher membership investment. Also look at reviews and reputation.
Air Evac’s membership still provides quality service at a lower price point. Evaluate if they have sufficient presence in your area at a more budget-friendly cost.
Safety & Accreditation
You want an air ambulance service with stringent safety standards and industry accreditations.
Both Survival Flight and Air Evac go beyond FAA requirements with additional pilot training, maintenance programs, and safety protocols. They carry extensive liability insurance.
Survival Flight highlights their ARG/US Platinum safety rating – the highest awarded by industry auditors. Air Evac meets air ambulance accreditation through CAMTS and EURAMI .
While each meets baseline standards, Survival Flight’s Platinum rating demonstrates an extra commitment to safety and quality.
Billing & Insurance
Will insurance cover the air transport and medical bills?
Membership for both services protects insured members from any uncovered costs after insurance payments for their services. Uninsured members can face significant bills though unless other coverage like Medicaid applies.
It is important to verify that each service is in-network with your health insurance. Survival Flight claims in-network status with most major insurers like United, Anthem, and Blue Cross. Air Evac says they will work with insurance but warns of potential out-of-network costs.
Be sure to check on billing practices before selecting an air ambulance membership. Getting stuck with a large bill after an emergency flight would add insult to injury.
Watch this about Survival Flight!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Air Evac membership can provide value by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for their air medical transport and in-flight care for insured members. It provides peace of mind that you will be covered in case of a life-threatening emergency in their service regions. However, be sure to check if they are in-network with your insurance provider.
No, Air Evac and AirMed are two separate air ambulance membership programs. Air Evac provides service in Midwest and Southern states whereas AirMed operates primarily in the Western half of the USA. Check coverage maps to see which service operates in your area.
A survival flight helicopter is an air ambulance helicopter operated by the Survival Flight company. Survival Flight has a fleet of medically-equipped helicopters and airplanes providing emergency air transport across 28 states.
Survival Flight is owned and operated by Air Methods Corporation, one of the largest air medical service providers in the United States. Air Methods is based in Colorado and also operates the United Rotorcraft Division.
Also Read: Comparison Between Aeroguard And ATP.
The Bottom Line
Making split-second life-or-death air transport decisions is stressful. Do your research to have peace of mind on which membership service to call based on coverage, capabilities, safety and costs.
For broader coverage across more states with a larger fleet and nursing emphasis, Survival Flight may be worth the higher membership fees. But Air Evac is still a quality choice, particularly for Midwestern and Southern states, at a lower price point.
Analyze your specific location, insurance and budget situation. Having an air ambulance membership set up before an emergency occurs can give you one less thing to worry about in the event of a crisis.