Avera emergency helicopter in flight.

Careflight Emergency Transport

In a region with a widely scattered rural population, rapid emergency transport is essential.

When life-threatening illness or injury strikes, every second counts. Careflight brings critical emergency transport to people throughout the region — available 24/7/365 — from its base locations in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen and Pierre.

Rapid, Reliable Emergency Transportation

  • Careflight helicopter – For shorter distances, our helicopters provide smooth, quiet emergency transport.
  • Careflight fixed-wing – For distances greater than 150 miles or if the helicopter transport is limited by weather, our airplanes are comfortable, effective, and ready at all times to provide emergency transport.
  • Emergency vehicles – Ground ambulances provide high-quality critical care during transport to and between medical facilities.

Certified Paramedics and Registered Nurses

Careflight paramedics maintain certifications in advanced cardiac life support and trauma care. Careflight nurses have critical care experience and hold certifications in trauma nursing and advanced cardiac life support for both adult and pediatric patients.

Throughout your transport, your Careflight medical crew constantly communicates with telemedicine providers, specialty physicians and trauma team members. You’re virtually within the trauma center while still in the air or on the road.

Specialized Transport Teams

Careflight has specialized air and ground transport teams to ensure each patient benefits from the best possible care — no matter the age or condition.

  • Adult & pediatrics team – trained in adult and pediatric trauma and critical care
  • Neonatal team – trained to support critically ill newborns
  • Obstetrics team – trained in high-risk obstetrical care for expecting moms and babies

Careflight Service Area

Careflight covers a 125-mile radius across the Upper Midwest, which includes transport to and from our regional medical centers in:

  • Aberdeen, SD
  • Marshall, MN
  • Mitchell, SD
  • Sioux Falls, SD
  • Yankton, SD

If needed, Careflight can also travel to large medical centers in:

  • Bismarck, ND
  • Fargo, ND
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Omaha, NE
  • Rochester, MN

For Careflight emergency air transportation services, call 800-367-3278.

Careflight service coverage map.

Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems logo. Avera Careflight is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems, the industry's most respected stamp of approval for all aspects of air safety and quality. Aviation services provided by MRIS, LLC and Avera McKennan.

Careflight Membership

The cost of emergency air transport often exceeds $8,000. If you suffer from serious or chronic health conditions, live in a rural setting, are elderly, or simply want to be prepared in case of an emergency, a Careflight membership may be right for you.

How Careflight Membership Works

You can receive full coverage for only $49 a year.1 As a member, you receive full coverage for Careflight’s emergency medical air transport services for yourself, your spouse and your dependents.

  • Your insurance carrier will be billed and their payment accepted as payment in full.
  • If you don’t carry medical insurance, but are a Careflight member, your costs will be covered through your membership.

You don’t have to be a member of Careflight to use it in an emergency. Membership simply ensures that you are fully covered. Have peace of mind in case of an emergency and apply for membership today.

Enroll online  Print application

Questions about the Careflight membership program or application? Contact the Avera Foundation at 605-322-4759.

Vital Rural Emergency Services

Emergency services are vital in both urban and rural areas across the Midwest. The strength of the Avera health system means you can expect the same high level of care wherever you walk into an emergency room at Avera.

Learn More About Emergency & Trauma Care

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1 Careflight membership covers you, your spouse, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 26. Any dependent age 26 or over, who is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability, will need to purchase a separate Careflight membership. The effective date of the plan will be the first of the month following receipt of membership payment.