<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"  Terrain Awareness Solution: Terrain awareness and warning systems measure the distance to the ground and emit loud warnings if the pilot flies too low. Older models, designed for airliners, gave helicopter pilots too many false warnings. New versions are specialized for low-flying craft; they should be mandatory. &amp;quot;We know these systems save lives,&amp;quot; Robert Sumwalt of the NTSB says. &amp;quot;This is not rocket science.&amp;quot;  Night Vision Solution: Medical helicopters often fly at night at low altitudes and in poor weather, with little help from air traffic control.  By gathering and amplifying ambient light or using infrared imaging, night-vision goggles help pilots detect and avoid obstacles, even in low-light conditions. &amp;quot;I flew without night vision for 35 years, and now I never fly at night without them,&amp;quot; pilot Ed MacDonald says.  In-Flight Tracking Solution: Flight tracking centers can help pilots escape dangerous situations. Staff are equipped with direct data feeds from inside the helicopter, weather information overlaying digital topographical maps and the FAA&amp;#039;s HEMS Weather Tool, which tracks storms at airport weather stations and interpolates conditions in between. &amp;quot;We can see what&amp;#039;s going on and tell pilots exactly how to get out of there,&amp;quot; says Dennis McCall, aviation compliance manager of Air Methods.  Data Recorders Solution: Black boxes record aircraft data such as airspeed and angle of flight. Some also capture video and audio from inside the cockpit. With this information, crash investigators could determine exactly what causes each crash and improve pilot training to avoid similar accidents in the future.  PERSONAL SAFETY WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW + Should you turn down a rescue flight? Probably not. In a crisis, questioning the judgment of trained personnel could waste time, hurting your chance of survival. But you can take steps to protect yourself now, before disaster strikes.  Find out who provides helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) in your community. Call the providers to ask if they use night-vision goggles, terrain awareness and warning systems and other safety gear recommended by the NTSB and if they&amp;#039;re accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services. If not, it may be wise to go by ground ambulance if you have a choice. Check your insurance plan to make sure it covers ambulance and helicopter services. Also check the limits on coverage. If you decide to buy a special plan to cover air medical evacuation, find the company with the best safety record and equipment. Before going on vacation, make sure your insurance covers emergency care where you will be traveling. Vet the HEMS provider at your destination with the questions above. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/a5937/how-to-improve-medical-helicopter-safety/>