Most often, these transfers are necessary because a patient's condition is needs specialized equipment, or a staff with special knowledge. In Livonia, Nelson and third-year resident Tobin Piker evaluate the patient. Piker and Nelson transfer her many wires and tubes to the helicopter's portable monitoring devices. Nelson goes out to speak with the visibly worried family members. No matter where the patient is headed, however, Nelson always takes time to reassure the family.
Parents often plead to accompany their small children.
We're asking the family to place their trust in us, people that they don't know. I want them to know we'll take care of that adult or child as if they were our own family. In a wide arc, the helicopter turns around. Now and later In the Survival Flight office, letters and cards adorn cubicle walls. Notes from relieved parents with snapshots of their children are tacked by elaborate cards and notebook paper covered with childhood scrawls complete with misspellings.