Life Flight Network will station a new helicopter at the Astoria Regional Airport as part of a regional upgrade in speed and medical capabilities.
The new Bell 429 helicopter, among four the nonprofit medevac service bought for $34 million, is expected to arrive in spring. Ben Clayton, the chief operating officer for Life Flight, said they provide better patient access and ability to navigate using flight instruments when visibility is low. Life Flight’s helicopters are equipped to operate like mobile intensive care units with a nurse, a paramedic, ventilators, laryngoscopes and the ability to transfuse red blood cells. The new upgrades include the ability to do onboard plasma transfusions to help slow and replace blood loss in trauma patients.