Mayo One
Accreditation

Safety standards

Industry certification: Mayo One follows the most stringent air safety standards and procedures. Mayo One is certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services (CAMTS), the industry's most respected stamp of approval for all aspects of air safety and quality.

Mayo One and Mayo MedAir were the first air transport services in Minnesota, Iowa or Wisconsin to receive this accreditation in 1996. The certification is renewed annually. To become accredited, the services are evaluated on safety standards, education, equipment, staffing, communications, maintenance and administration.

CAMTS is an independent organization made up of representation from 13 professional associations associated with air medical transport. Some of the groups are the National Air Transportation Association, the Air Medical Physician Association and the National Flight Nurses Association. CAMTS was started in 1991.

Pilot training

Mayo One pilots, most with military training, also have special training in medical transport. All Mayo One pilots are required to have at least 2,500 hours of flight time. They are instrument flight rule certified. Twice a year, they are required to complete check rides with a certified instructor to review emergency procedures.

Helicopter safety features

Helicopters at both bases are BK117s. Safety features include:

• Twin-turbine engines that provide up to a maximum of 1,500 shaft horsepower. If one engine fails, the helicopter can still fly.
• Storm scope, a tracking device similar to radar, that helps detect lightning strikes.
• Two-tube electronic flight instrumentation system, which provides the pilot with easy-to-read flight information.
• Wire strike kit, an external feature that enables the helicopter to cut through power lines in the event of accidental contact.
• Shared mobile radio, allowing continuous radio telephone contact with Saint Marys Hospital.
• Liquid oxygen tanks, which provide 10 hours of oxygen in a nonvolatile state.

In addition, at Saint Marys helipad in Rochester, Mayo One can use global positioning satellite technology, which enables the helicopter to fly in low-visibility conditions.

Both bases are equipped with sophisticated weather stations. In questionable weather, the pilot determines if Mayo One can fly safely, without knowledge of the patient's condition.