LifeFlight

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When to Call MeritCare LifeFlight

You should consider existing conditions before deciding to contact MeritCare LifeFlight.

Existing conditions

• Could the time ground transportation takes be a threat to the patient's life?
  The American College of Surgeons tells us that transport to a trauma center should be considered due to mechanism of injury if any of the following conditions have occurred:
  • Ejection from an automobile
  • Death in the same passenger compartment
  • Extrication time greater than 20 minutes
  • Falls greater than 20 feet
  • Rollover
  • High speed auto crash—initial speed greater than 40 mph, major auto deformity greater than 20 inches or intrusion into the passenger compartment of greater than 12 inches
  • Auto-pedestrian/auto-bicycle injury with significant (greater than 5 mph) impact
  • Pedestrian thrown or run over
  • Motorcycle crash greater than 20 mph or with separation of rider from bike
• Are there weather or road conditions or other factors that would hinder effective ground transport?
• Does the available rescue crew have the equipment and medical skills necessary to care for this patient during ground transport?
• Whenever possible, establish radio contact with your local medical facility/ground ambulance and discuss the need for helicopter response.

Who May Activate MeritCare LifeFlight

• State/local law enforcement officers
• Ambulance and emergency medical services personnel
• Community and hospital physicians and hospital officials
• Industrial nurses and safety officers
• Fire and civil defense personnel

How To Activate MeritCare LifeFlight

MeritCare LifeFlight will respond to accidents and emergency situations within a 200-mile radius of Fargo-Moorhead. For scene flights, always access ground transportation simultaneously as the helicopter does not carry extrication equipment. From the scene of an accident, contact your appropriate communications center, or call:(800) 437-6886.

Download the LifeFlight Response Time Map

For more information about LifeFlight, contact (701) 234-6054.

For questions on landing zone management classes or other Emergency Medical Services courses, contact Dan Ehlen at (701) 234-6054 or danielehlen@meritcare.com.

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