UNM Hospital Lifeguard Air Emergency Services

UNM Hospital Lifeguard Air Emergency Services is the critical care transport service of the University of New Mexico Hospital. It has supported critical care transport for New Mexicans and the Navajo Nation since 1983.

The service runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with two team setups: a Primary Team and a Children's Specialty Team. The children's team includes providers with neonatal or pediatric experience and can help with high risk deliveries.

Lifeguard transports patients with conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, pregnancy complications and premature birth. It also moves patients on cardiac assist devices such as VADs, Impella or ECMO. The hospital operates a remote ECMO cannulation program that Lifeguard supports.

Lifeguard moves patients across New Mexico, eastern Arizona, southern Colorado and western Texas. It operates within a 500 mile radius of Albuquerque.

Lifeguard uses three modes of transport. Fixed wing services are provided by Eagle Med with a fleet of King Air B200s. Med-Trans operates the rotor wing service with a Leonardo Kx 119. The hospital operates critical care transport capable ground ambulances.

Crews are made up of specially trained paramedics, nurses, respiratory therapists and physicians. The service has CAMTS reaccreditation from April 9, 2025 to April 9, 2028. A separate page covers employment, training and certification for medical professionals.

To arrange transport, contact the UNM Hospital Communications Center. The public can send feedback on Lifeguard operations to CAMTS.

Services

• Critical care air transport
• Critical care ground transport
• Primary Team
• Children's Specialty Team
• Neonatal and pediatric transport
• High risk delivery support
• ECMO support
• Remote ECMO cannulation program support
• Fixed wing transport
• Rotor wing transport