UNM Hospital Lifeguard Air Emergency Services

Lifeguard Air Emergency Services is the critical care transport programme of the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. It is a hospital programme. It moves very sick patients by plane, helicopter and ground ambulance.

Services

The site says the service has supported New Mexicans and the Navajo Nation since 1983. It runs 24 hours a day with two team set ups, a Primary Team and a Children Specialty Team. The children team includes staff with newborn or child experience. It handles cases such as heart attacks, strokes, pregnancy problems, premature birth and patients on devices such as VADs, Impella or ECMO. The hospital also runs a remote ECMO programme that Lifeguard supports.

Aircraft and crews

Lifeguard uses three modes of transport.

• Fixed wing: provided by Eagle Med with King Air B200 aircraft
• Helicopter: operated by Med-Trans with a Leonardo Kx 119
• Ground: critical care ambulances run by the hospital

Crews are made up of paramedics, nurses, respiratory therapists and physicians.

Coverage area

Lifeguard moves patients across New Mexico, eastern Arizona, southern Colorado and western Texas. The site says it works within a 500 mile radius of Albuquerque.

Facts

• Type: hospital programme of the University of New Mexico Hospital
• Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems, with reaccreditation from April 9, 2025 to April 9, 2028
• Start of service: 1983, as stated on the site

Who it is for

Hospitals and doctors can reach the service through the UNM Hospital Communications Center. The site also invites the public to send feedback on Lifeguard operations to CAMTS. A separate page for medical staff covers jobs, training and certification.