Patients that have had recent serious bodily injury or require critical care with close attention are said to be in trauma. Often patients who are in trauma need to have a doctor's permission to fly, if the patient is travelling within the United States. If outside of the United States, however, and a patient is in need of a trauma center, an air ambulance can fly a critical care patient within hours to a center where that patient can be helped.

Trauma care centers generally treat patients who are extremely fragile or potentially fatal.

Trauma Care Worldwide

In the event that a patient is in need of trauma care that a hospital can provide within 200 miles, a helicopter air ambulance can transfer the patient. If the patient needs to be transfered overseas or a further distance, a fixed wing air ambulance is necessary for a trauma patient.