An air ambulance is an aircraft that is used for the medical help of individuals in any number of situations. They are usually designed as a helicopter but have in the past been designed as small airplanes with fixed wings. This unit is designated to help critically ill or wounded patients in a number of different ways.

In many injuries, medical help is not nearby. It is usually some distance away. When there is a need for immediate help, often specialized help, an air ambulance is called in. For example, if there is a critically ill child that needs to reach a children's hospital that is some distance away, these units can pick them up and take them much faster than a vehicle such as an ambulance or car could.

But, that is not the only use of an air ambulance. They are crucial parts of rescue and recovery missions. In these cases, the helicopters can hover over locations where people are hurt, ill, or injured and help to pull them to safety. In these cases, there is any number of abilities they can provide where other forms of transportation can not.

Most of these units are equipped with necessary medical equipment, but do not have a large amount of it. Because it is important for a helicopter to maintain a light weigh in order to fly, these ambulances are equipped with monitoring units, CPR units and other equipment to help in case they have to only until other help can be provided to the patient. In many cases, individuals who are sick and injured will be stabilized until they reach the desired location for further treatment.

There are publicly owned air ambulances as well as those that are licensed and operated in a private manner. There is no charge to the individual who has been moved by a publicly owned helicopter such as those used by the coast guard. The privately owned units are very expensive though. The military has a large number of these ambulances to help in aid of troops who are in battle. They are lifesavers no matter who owns them.