An air ambulance is often used in times of emergency because it provides a faster alternative. Whether in a remote area or a traffic jam an air ambulance provides vital relief in areas that ground ambulances can’t reach. If trauma is a factor, an air ambulance can be even more vital.

A health term known among professionals is the "Golden Hour." The Golden Hour is a term used to describe how important it is to help a trauma patient within the first hour they suffer an injury. Several studies have been done on patients that suffer trauma injuries. The State of Arizona did the most comprehensive study about the Golden Hour. The study, conducted between January 2005 and December 2008 found an air ambulance can play a vital role in helping trauma victims during the Golden Hour because they can be brought in quickly to administer care.

The study by the Arizona Department of Health Services looked at 14 trauma centers. The study researched severity of injuries, survival rates and other factors.

Another study, by the National Association of State EMS Officials backs up the Arizona study. This study found that over 81 million people had been helped by an air ambulance during the Golden Hour that normally would not have been able to be cared for. The study found those transported via an air ambulance had a probability of survival of 88 percent. 55-percent of the patients had an injury severity score of greater or equal to 15. The injury severity score measured how serious the injuries were, based on traditional trauma calculation methods. 43-percent of the patients that were transported via air ambulance went home within 24 hours.

Another study, by the National Association of State EMS Officials backs up the Arizona study. This study found that over 81 million people had been helped by an air ambulance during the Golden Hour that normally would not have been able to be cared for.

The main reason why an air ambulance is so effective in helping trauma patients is due to issues on the roads. Some roads may be impassible by vehicles. Since most trauma victims are usually the result of a car accident, it makes sense an air ambulance can factor in a positive way. Skiing or snowmobile accidents are other common ways an air ambulance can help. Because of its range of access the American Medical Association found people transported to a trauma center by an air ambulance had a 16-percent better chance of survival.

But an air ambulance can help in non-immediate situations for trauma patients. Trauma patients in recovery may find they need an air ambulance to travel back home. In that situation an air ambulance can be sued to ensure proper care while the victim returns home to be with family and loved ones.