Airgurus Acquires ParaPAC Plus 310

The number 1 air ambulance company in the Philippines and one of the leading medevac providers in Asia, Airgurus has recently acquired the Pneupac ParaPAC Plus 310.

ParaPAC Plus 310 is the latest addition to the Pneupac range by Smiths Medical which are all designed for paramedics and trained emergency personnel's use to enable great control of breathing parameters for our patients. This equipment gives the versatility to deliver oxygen therapy, CPAP (Constant Positive Airway Pressure), demand oxygen and mechanical ventilation all from one compact, lightweight unit.

Among its' main features is a built-in oxygen therapy facility, an integrated PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) function, luminescent manometer, a display of inspiratory and expiratory pressure and manual ventilation control for compliance with CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) ratios and CPAP which has a setting of 0.5 liters per minute of oxygen all the way up to 35 liters per minute.  This latest acquisition by Airgurus is designed for the most demanding environments... emergency, ambulance, aircraft, hospital and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

With our goal to always keep our helicopters and other aircraft medically-suited / update with the best and top of the line equipment for our patients' needs, Airgurus remains to be the most trusted air ambulance / medevac company in the Philippine archipelago and now providing air medical transport to and from various parts of Asia. 

Airgurus... anytime and anywhere in Asia.  

   

2013 Goals: Additional Aircraft For Air Ambulance

The term "Air Ambulance" (a specially outfitted aircraft that transport the sick or injured in a medical emergency or over distances or terrain impractical for a conventional ground ambulance) used to be unknown in the Philippines.

Via Airgurus, we have earned our mark in the nation. After 2012, we can firmly say that the terms "air ambulance, medevac|medivac" (emergency evacuation of the sick or wounded) are no longer strange words and along with our efforts to make them known, Airgurus has become synonymous to those terms.

For years, we have been providing medical air transport for people with various health conditions in the country and we have conducted / achieved so far, 964 successful medevac missions as of January 16. Capt. Harry Lero, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Pilot of Airgurus Ltd. Co., felt the growing need to add more reliable air medical transport vehicles and aircraft to the fleet.

A bigger helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft comes in his mind and Capt. Lero is bent to achieve these goals by the 2nd quarter of the year to solely dedicate them to the sick and the injured in the Philippines.

Anytime. Anywhere. Airgurus. For inquiries, visit our website www.airgurus.com or contact 24/7 hotlines for medical emergencies: +6327810787 | +639175966288







       

Health Tips From Our Medical Flight Crew: Take Care Of Your Heart

We have had numerous cases of patients with heart diseases all over the country flown from either homes or the hospital and brought to medical facilities of their choice in Manila. This is one of the reasons why we haven't updated our blog lately. We have been very busy saving lives.

The numbers are growing in the Philippines and is the leading cause of death. Last month alone, we have conducted 17 medical evacuation missions for heart-related cases thus; we at Airgurus Ltd. Co., can't help but be concerned and give some friendly advise to our followers here and on Facebook on how to take good care of your heart:

1. Stop smoking or use tobacco
In a country where we do not really have strict banning of cigarettes, smoking or using tobacco is found to be one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease. The chemicals in tobacco damages heart and blood vessels leading to narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can ultimately lead to a heart attack. When it comes to heart disease prevention, no amount of smoking is safe. Smokeless tobacco and low-tar and low-nicotine cigarettes also are risky, as is exposure to secondhand smoke. Social smokers are not even spared.

2. Exercising for 30 Minutes a Day
A regular, daily exercise can reduce your risk of fatal heart disease. Combining physical activity with other lifestyle measures is always of great help.  Physical activity helps you control your weight and can reduce your chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. It also reduces stress, which may be a factor in heart disease. Swimming is one of the best and highly recommended on exercises.

3. Eating a hearty but healthy diet
Eating foods that are low in fat, cholesterol and salt is a good start. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products can help protect your heart. Beans, other low-fat sources of protein and certain types of fish also can also reduce risk of heart diseases. Limiting certain fats consumption also is important.
Heart-healthy eating isn't all about cutting back. Most people need to add more fruits and vegetables to their die with a goal of five to 10 servings a day. So eat a lot of fruits! Eating that many fruits and vegetables can not only help prevent heart disease, but also may help prevent cancer. On decreasing risks of heart attack, some fish like salmon and mackerel are good natural sources of Omega-3 fatty acid (a type of polyunsaturated fat).

Since it's still the love month, we encourage you to love... love yourself and please take care of your heart. Should you or your loved ones need us though in crucial times and would require an air ambulance helicopter for transporting you to the nearest and apt medical facility, contact our 24/7 hotlines +632 781 2707 | +632 781 0787 | +63 920 955 0897 | +63 908 888 6829 and +63 917 596 6288.

The Official Air Ambulance and Air Taxi of 2CELLOS in Philippines

Airgurus is the Official Air Ambulance and Air Taxi of 2CELLOS, a world-class performing duo of Croatian cellists, Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic. 2CELLOS is coming to perform in Manila this January 2012.

Image courtesy of GB Productions Asia

Bio:

The meteoric success of 2CELLOS started when former cello rivals Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser decided to join forces. In January 2011, they uploaded a unique duo cello version of “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson onto YouTube. Within just a few weeks, their video became a huge viral sensation, receiving over 5 million views from across the world.

A month later, 2CELLOS signed a record deal with SONY MASTERWORKS. They were invited by Sir Elton John to join him on his worldwide tour playing with and opening for him. Their self-titled debut album was released worldwide in the summer of 2011 achieving top 200 Billboard status in the US, #1 iTUNES Germany, and #1 on the Japan imported albums (ahead of such distinguished artists as Beyonce, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lady Gaga). They have appeared on national television shows including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Lopez Tonight and Fox & Friends in the U.S., as well as Stefan Raab’s TV total in Germany. Most recently, they were invited by Apple to perform their own show at the Roundhouse in London as part of their prestigious iTUNES festival that was streamed globally.

Image courtesy of www.2cellos.com

Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser are accomplished musicians, both having played the cello since childhood. They recently completed their studies, Luka at the acclaimed Royal Academy of Music in London, and Stjepan at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Luka has performed all over the world at renowned venues including London’s Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Vienna’s Musikverein and Konzerthaus. He has won a series of international prizes including first and special prize at the VII Lutoslawski International Cello Competition (Warsaw, 2009).

Image courtesy of www.2cellos.com

Stjepan has also performed around the world in most European countries, South Africa, New Zealand, Asia and the USA, with debuts in London’s Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall, South Bank Centre and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. He was the last pupil of Mstislav Rostropovich. In his short career, Stjepan has already been awarded first prize in twenty-one national and international competitions, and he has performed twice for Prince Charles at Buckingham and St James‘s Palace.

Airgurus is proud to be officially part of this YouTube sensations' first show in Manila as their official air ambulance and air taxi. Final details of the live concert of  2CELLOS  will be announced by GB Productions Asia soon. For inquiries: 2cellosmanila@gbproductions.asia

Airgurus Delivers Patients In the Phillippines Through Their Golden Hours

Whether it is of simple level of care or providing the highest critical care, Airgurus Ltd. Co. provides the best aero medical team consisting of nurses and doctors available 24/7 for our air ambulance services.

We respond immediately to distress calls for a medical evacuation. We know the importance of the golden hour... the window of time in which a critical care patient requires to reach the appropriate medical facility for recover, reversal and preservation of quality of life.

Along with this, comes our company's yearly update on the state-of-the-art medical monitoring systems to all our air ambulance aircraft which plays an important role in long distance medical evacuation of patients. This covers the basic, advanced and critical care needed by patients in the sky. 

We do not waste any time getting our patients into the hands of medical professionals. There is absolutely no reason for us to have them wait longer especially for trauma patients. We are fast and proficient and we highly value the golden hour which refers to a very critical and brief window of time... literally 60 minutes following and injury, a stroke / cardiac arrest where our 24/7 emergency dispatchers, air ambulance crews and receiving medical facility staff are communicating and coordinating with each other within a matter of minutes.

Saving lives in the Philippines and delivering patients throughout their golden hours 24/7 is what we do. For our emergency hotline, visit our website www.airgurus.com.

Air ambulance Service for Neonatal Cases in the Philippines

Airgurus' medical flight team of critical care doctor and nurses took off from the hangar in Pasay City last August 24, 2011 for a series of medical flight missions. The first mission, according to air ambulance helicopter pilot Capt. Harry Lero, was to transport a premature baby with breathing problems from Bacolod City to Manila for advanced neonatal critical care.

Airgurus is the only air ambulance company in the Philippines that has a specialized neonatal transport team to accomplish such a mission. The work would not stop there. Capt. Lero said,  that after the first flight, the team flew  from Manila to Boracay to transport a patient with an orthopedic injury and flew to San Vicente, Palawan transport a child with a spinal cord injury resulting from a fall.

"Our company provides air medical evacuation for ill and/or injured babies, children and adult persons throughout the Philippines" he said. The company has staffed a remarkable group of critical care doctors, nurses and medics to provide excellent patient care, bed-to-bed service and customized care to meet the needs of patients and their family members. 

As the owner of the air ambulance company, Capt. Lero said he has been delighted with the response from the local communities in various regions as well as the top medical facilities in the country. The company has a home base in General Aviation Area, Manila Domestic Airport but will soon expand its business south of the Philippines in order to meet the need.

There are some clients namely doctors, hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, etc. down there with whom we have a regular, long-standing relationship. The company has transported a lot of patients including pediatric burn victims. We are repositioning our aircraft and a team so we can better service those existing customers and to offer service to other medical centers in various regions in the South.

Founded in 2006, the company currently operates a fleet of air ambulance aircraft that include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The difference between Airgurus and most other air ambulance services is that we transport patients who are stable, but need to be taken a substantial distance for specific and special treatments. The reason these patients use the service is because they can't travel by airline and may need immediate medical assistance.

The first mission was transporting the premature baby highlights the company's specialty in neonatal care. "Very often, the need for this transportation is created by circumstances related to special needs," Capt. Lero said. "We move a lot of neonatal cases from hospitals where they were born to facilities in Manila where they can get cardiac surgery."

Capt. Lero said his company prides itself on providing the highest standards of both care and transport operations. "Quality management is a cornerstone for us. There aren't air ambulance operations that provide services like this in the country."


1st Artistic Photo courtesy of Jonel Candelaria

Philippines Air Ambulance FAQ No. 2: Who Needs An Air Ambulance?

Who Needs An Air Ambulance?

• Patients needing extensive or urgent medical attention when time is critical
• Patients with critical illness or injury when patient cannot be transported by any commercial means
• Patients with an injury or illness or figured in an accident while traveling
• Patients with illness or injury requiring treatment by a specialist at apt medical facilities
• Non-emergency patients needing to be brought closer to home or home with medical escorts

For patients requiring urgent care, an air ambulance is the most appropriate choice. With our own team of highly-skilled doctors, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, pediatric specialists and critical care paramedics, Airgurus offers bedside to bedside services to those in need of medical air transport domestically and internationally.

Philippines Air Ambulance FAQ No. 1: What Is An Air Ambulance?

What is an Air Ambulance?

An air ambulance is an aircraft used for means of safely and comfortably transporting patients who are too ill to travel long or even short distances by ground. All air ambulance aircraft are of business class specifications equipped for extensive or urgent medical evacuations. At its best, an air ambulance transport is the fastest method of transporting critically-ill patients from one facility to another. 

Airgurus provides air ambulance services and is recognized as the leader in medical air transportation in the Philippines. Airgurus' Bell 206- L3 and Agusta Westland 109A features state-of-the-art medical equipment and are the only helicopters in the Philippines with litter kit (Double deck stretcher). Complete with a real time tracking system for all of our aircraft, we are one of the only two aircraft companies in the Philippines with this system to ensure flight safety, the well-being of the patient and real time coordination to the best medical facilities in the country.

Airgurus has two types of air ambulance aircraft for medical transport: helicopters and fixed-wing airplanes. The state-of-the-art medically-suited helicopters are used for short-haul, critical cases,  trauma-related emergency flights and are also used when there are no runways available for a fixed-wing aircraft to land. Our fixed-wing aircraft are customized with stretchers, advanced life support equipment, medications and specialized flight-trained medical staff ... most of the time, these are used for non-emergency medical evacuation.  

Our helicopters and all of our medically-suited aircraft are religiously managed and maintained by highly trained flight and maintenance crews as our air ambulance service offers 24 hours emergency and non-emergency medical transport services throughout the country and off-shore. In the cramped spaces of our helicopters especially, we carry supplies and medications similar to those found in an intensive care unit i.e., intravenous pumps, a ventilator, cardiac monitoring systems and defibrillator, resuscitation equipment, suction, intubation equipment, balloon pump, IV, ACLS drug complement and any other specialty equipment necessary for each individual patient's needs. With our litter kit, there's even enough room for two patients if necessary, on stretchers.

Airgurus offers multiple domestic aircraft options designed to meet individual requirements and budget considerations. We also offer international air ambulance transports to bring patients home or closer to home with medical escorts. 

For more details, visit the website www.airgurus.com

PHILIPPINES AIR AMBULANCE: AIRGURUS CASE # 822 APPENDICITIS

Classified as an medical emergency requiring an Air Ambulance, Appendicitis is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the appendix that in most cases, requiring the removal of the inflamed appendix either by laparatomy or laparoscopy.

If appendicitis is untreated, mortality is high mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to peritonitis and shock.

Documenting the aforementioned case in real time... Airgurus' Air Ambulance Helicopter #1 took off at 1:55pm bound for Boracay Island to execute the medical evacuation of a man suffering from appendicitis.

As of writing (2:51pm of August 9, 2011), the Air Ambulance Helicopter # 1 is passing through waters nearby Mindoro Island estimated to arrive Boracay Island by 4pm after a short refuel stop at Caticlan.

The patient's attending physician in Boracay Island contacted Airgurus for his immediate medical transfer to St. Lukes' Global City, Taguig to be endorsed to a specialist, Dr. Dela Pena at an expected time of 6pm.

For people and patients in the Philippines requiring urgent care, an air ambulance is the most appropriate choice. With our own team of high-skilled doctors, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, pediatric specialists and critical care paramedics, Airgurus offers bedside to bedside services to those in need of medical air transport domestically and internationally.

We are fast in our response to medical evacuations.... challenging but it never left our minds that anytime... anywhere... we have to deliver everyone throughout the golden hours... the hours between life and death.

Air Ambulance Case # 822 in the Philippines... currently happening!

Ambulansyang De Elisi by Jessica Soho: Air Ambulance in the Philippines

Saving lives 24/7 in the Philippines is the company, Airgurus. Jessica Soho, a notable Filipino broadcast journalist, documentarian, news director featured Airgurus last August 1, 2011 on GMA7's "Brigada" for the company's remarkable air ambulance services in the Philippines as reported by Bernadette Reyes.

Airgurus provides Air Ambulance services and is recognized as the leader in medical air transportation in the Philippines. The medical flight crew include some of the most experienced flight paramedics in the field with 800++ lives saved to date.

The featured Bell 206-L3 in this video features state-of-the-art medical equipment and is the only helicopter with litter kit (double-deck stretcher) in the Philippines. A new chopper, Airgurus' A109 will soon be the 2nd to have the litter kit.

To know more about Airgurus' 24/7 air ambulance emergency and non-emergency services, go to www.airgurus.com

Watch the video "Ambulansyang De Elisi" at Airgurus' Youtube Channel

New Emergency Rescue Takes Off

It is a scary thought: you are seriously ill or injured and need to get to a hospital in Manila now.

You have only three options: emergency airlift, take a commercial flight, or go to Kalibo's hospital.

Kalibo's hospital may not have the necessary equipment or staff. Taking a commercial flight is only possible if the patient is able to be transported sitting up. Emergency airlifts are extremely expensive and, in the Philippines, can cost upwards of P1-million pesos. An emergency helicopter trip from Boracay to Manila typically costs P250,000-300,000. 

Enter SkyAid, a membership program organized by two of the Philippines' leading air ambulance service providers, Airgurus Ltd. Co. offering members free emergency medical transportation for as little as P10 per day per person, with their most expensive plan for individual one-week visitors running only P143 per day.

SkyAid's medical evacuation team is composed of four helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft. Their aircraft are nothing like the tiny helicopter based in Caticlan that long-time residents of the island know from island airlift stories. Their helicopter fleet is made up of a Bell 206 L3 (Longranger), Agusta Westland 109A, Eurocopter AS350B, Bell 206 B3 (Jetranger) and Robinson R44, supported by the fixed wing Baron 58, Kingair 200 and Cessna 206.
 

Capt. Harry Lero from SkyAid and Dr. "Girlie" Teotico of Metropolitan Doctors Medical Clinic recently invited the Boracay Sun staff on a tour of the island on their spacious Bell Longranger helicopter, giving us a first-hand experience with their professional crew and well-maintained aircraft. A dual- purpose aircraft capable of carrying five passengers, it converts in only 20 minutes to a medical transport capable of holding two stretchers, two passengers and medical gear.

As it is estimated that 40-60 people are airlifted from Boracay to Manila for emergency medical treatment each year, SkyAid's arrival is welcome.

Acting somewhat like insurance, SkyAid's membership fee of P9,000 per year for individuals is a hedge against the huge cost of an air evacuation. Four-person family memberships (covering children up to age 40) cost only P21,000 per year. SkyAid also offers discounted rates for multi-year commitments, with the five-year family plan only costing P3,750 per person per year. SkyAid covers members traveling anywhere within the Philippines, not just while in Boracay.

One of the biggest challenges in a medical air-evacuation scenario is travel time. Almost all of the Philippines’ medical evacuation fleet, including SkyAid's, is permanently housed in Manila. Upon receiving notice of a situation in Boracay, they need to prepare for flight, fly to Boracay and then refuel in Caticlan before heading back to Manila. This means it takes three to four hours after the phone call before a patient arrives at a hospital in Manila.

SkyAid will tackle this challenge by permanently locating a helicopter in Boracay at Fairways and Bluewater starting in the first half of 2011, cutting transportation time to Manila in half.

Although not for everyone, this service seems ideal for those engaging in the more adventurous activities such as kiteboarding or diving. Some premier resorts are also choosing to include the coverage as an optional add-on for their guests.

Like all contracts, reading the fine print is important. The service covers two transports per year, but only if they are separated by more than 30 days. If the illness is psychiatric – caused by attempted suicide, alcohol or drug abuse – you won't be covered. 

Bumps and bruises won't get you a free trip to Manila, either. According to SkyAid, "decisions regarding urgency of the case, the best timing and most suitable means of transportation will be made by the SkyAid Air Ambulance medical director after consultation with the attending physician and member's receiving physician."

SkyAid will transport you only when "extensive or urgent medical attention is needed and time-critical, when illness or injury requires treatment by a specialist and/or use of the facilities of other hospitals within 24 hours. The illness or injury must be one where the patient cannot be transported by commercial means."

Anyone under the age of 70 may apply for membership, but due to aircraft weight and size, members must weigh less than 300 pounds. There is no medical checkup. 

SkyAid membership does have additional perks, such as a P20,000 emergency medical fund to help with non-transport costs, 20% off aircraft charter from Airgurus Ltd. Co., and one companion may accompany the patient, at no additional cost, on the medical aircraft if space is available and the patient's care is not compromised.

If you think SkyAid might be for you, more information can be found at their website www.airgurus.com. Either way, there is comfort in knowing that there is a service like this for residents and tourists alike. Not to mention knowing that a larger helicopter will soon be calling Boracay home, halving emergency transport times.

Written by: Nick Brown


Source: Boracay Sun / Island News (Sunboracay Archive Dec-Jan 2011)

To know more about Airgurus' 24/7 air ambulance emergency and non-emergency services, go to www.airgurus.com

MEDEVAC ON 2 PINOYS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA

Airgurus Ltd. Co., the leading Air Ambulance Company in the Philippines received a 3:15pm distress call from an oil tanker Ghawar Nassar last January 31, 2011.

 
The China-bound tanker's captain requested for the immediate airlift / medical evacuation of two (2) critically injured Filipinos. These men figured in an accident on board (one broken hip and one broken leg) and are requiring to be brought to the Metropolitan Hospital in Manila for immediate medical attention.

Full story and more images at Helicopter Rescue of 2 Pinoys in South China Sea