Sneak a peek behind the scenes to witness STAR Flight nurses and paramedics training to work and be comfortable in water.  All STAR Flight rescuers are required to maintain proficiency in water rescue and personal safety techniques, including Dunker Training (Helicopter Underwater Egress Training) where crew members are seatbelted into a cage to simulate a helicopter ditching over water.  Click here to see pictures from our last pool training session...

In February of 2008, STAR Flight crew members completed a field trial of the GlideScopeÒ Ranger.  During that trial period, the device was utilized during the intubation of patients where previous intubation attempts without the device were unsuccessful.  This includes a patient that was transported to Brackenridge by Austin-Travis County EMS ground Paramedics.  The patient sustained severe maxillofacial trauma and field attempts to secure an endotracheal tube were unsuccessful.  On arrival in the emergency department, the patient had a rescue airway in place.  The attending physician on duty was Dr. James Kempema, also the STAR Flight medical director.  He called the on-duty crew and asked them to bring the device into the ED.  Within seconds, the patient was intubated and the rescue airway was removed. 

Click here to see a press release regarding the device....

Click here to see Dr. James Kempema discussing the device...

Click the image above to go to the Verathon GlideScopeÒ Ranger website...

STAR Flight, in a partnership with Brackenridge Trauma Services, recently initiated a groundbreaking study researching the utilization of ultrasonography in the aeromedical and prehospital environment.  We are now using portable ultrasound to evaluate blunt abdominal and thorasic trauma patients for internal bleeding (FAST exam) as well as using the device to assist in placing intravenous lines in 'difficult stick' patients.  This is the first research project of it's type in the United States.  Read more about the exciting new program here...

Come check out the new images and the new format of the now-infamous SF Photo Galleries!

STAR Flight Initiates it's Hoist Program

Beginning the first week of November, 2007, STAR Flight "permanently" installed Goodrich external hoists on both of our aircraft and formally initiated our external hoist rescue program.  Rescuers can now be lowered directly to a victim in need and then be winched back up to the aircraft without us ever having to land.  This will be especially useful in flash flood situations and time-critical patients injured in difficult-to-access areas.  The new hoist, in combination with our night-vision goggles, greatly enhances STAR Flight's ability to serve and assist victims in need - day or night.  Click here to see images of this exciting new addition in action...

Also, Click here to see some of our newly added rescue equipment

Click here to see Mike's newest creation.  Oh yeah, and hold on tight...

For more videos and some news clips click here...

For more information regarding our relationship with Texas Air Guard, click here...
 

What is STAR Flight?

STAR Flight is the only 24/7 aerial emergency medical service in Texas that performs highly specialized emergency response services, including, emergency medical transport, still and swift-water rescue, search and rescue, high angle rescue, fire suppression/aerial reconnaissance, and law safety assistance.  We have a unique program and we love it that way.  Click here to read more about the diverse mission we provide the citizens of Travis County and Central Texas...

From the Inside Out - See Images of the Inside of Our New EC-145
What does an aeromedical helicopter look like from the inside?  What kind of equipment do we use?  Check out our interactive images here...

Read About Real Rescues STAR Flight has Responded to This Year

Each year STAR Flight responds to over 200 requests for public safety missions each year, including Search & Rescue, Fire Suppresson, and Law Enforcement Assistance missions each year.  Click here to review incident summary reports from some of those missions...

Over 200 photos of STAR Flight out "doin what we do".  See images of STAR Flight helicopters fighting fires, responding to car wrecks on the highway, and pulling people out of the water.  We also have an entire gallery devoted to the 2005 Hurricane Katrina response. 

We are always looking for new information and photos to place on our website.  If you have pictures that you would like to see on the STAR Flight website, email them (along with your contact information) here...

What kind of person would ever be happier OUTSIDE a helicopter than IN one?  What does it take to be a member of the STAR Flight team?  How much training does it take to become proficient in Helicopter Rescue?  Answers to these questions and more await you in STAR Flight Bio's, Training & Certs, and Employment...

 Pictures of our helicopters performing rescues, rescue definitions, lists of rescue equipment and gear carried by our crews, and even a section on STAR Flight Survival Training.  Click here to go to Rope and Rotors...