Capt. Harry Lero on our 858th Medical Evacuation Mission

Last week was our CEO | Chief Pilot's birthday. Instead of us celebrating his birthday the night before, Captain Harry Lero and our medical flight crew had to get some good rest since they were scheduled to fly to San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. The mission... to immediately transport a critically injured motorcycle accident victim to an apt facility in Manila via one of our air ambulance helicopters.

When it comes to saving one's life, Captain Lero puts himself first on the line thus; making the preparation to celebrate his own birthday on the same day becomes impossible for us at Airgurus.We all celebrated it with him the next day. Other special occasions like Valentines, Christmas and New Years with him is also quite impossible as he always has to do his missions. We can't complain... as Airgurus Ltd. Co. is the best provider of air ambulance transport.

The mission to transport the motorcycle accident victim from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental marked his 858th medical evacuation flight in the Philippines. Yes... our 858th successful mission.

Captain Harry Lero is good brother to his siblings, a good son to his parents, a good father to his children, a good boss to us at Airgurus, a good and humble friend to everyone... but not too many knows that he is... our everyday hero in the Philippines.

As of writing and as of today we are on our 862nd medical evacuation mission.

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.

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!

Air Ambulance Evacuation in the Philippines

An air ambulance evacuation (Air Evacs) in the Philippines is done by Airgurus Ltd. Co.,the number one air ambulance company in the Philippines with its' partnership with AeroMed.

Last February 2011, a 54 years old German national was driving his powerful motorcycle and had a serious accident in the province of Leyte, Philippines. He was taken to a local medical facility for immediate stabilization and treatment however, he seriously fractured his leg in several places as well as problems with his spine thus; it was required that he undergo immediate surgery at an adequate medical facility in Manila. It was a crucial time for the family and they decided to have him transferred to an facility in Manila.

The family remotely lives 7 hours away from Tacloban City, a city in the province of Leyte. They inquired local facilities there for medical evacuation to Manila but to their dismay, no one could possibly organize an air ambulance evacuation for them. They searched through the internet and stumbled upon articles for medical air lift leading them to the website of Airgurus Ltd. Co., the safest provider of air transport services and medical assistance in the country.

Noting the stories about the rapid,  safe, professional care and transferring of patients of Airgurus, they called the 24/7 hotlines at around 1am to inquire. Airgurus' Emergency Crisis Team was immediately informed within minutes... and everyone in the team started to do each of their own tasks. The team started coordinating with patient's physician for transfer approval, medical flight crew's availability / confirmation checked, pilots' confirmation checked, mechanics' immediate preparation of the aircraft's engine checked, medicines secured to be made available for the patient during the "bedside-to-bedside" care transfer checked, notification and securing documents for transfer to a medical facility in Manila was checked. Less than an hour later, the family was rewarded with a confirmation that a medically-suited fixed-wing aircraft will be arriving Tacloban Airport at 9:30 am to pick up the patient. Another concern for the family was how to get their beloved transported to Tacloban City by land considering his delicate state. Airgurus' immediately arranged for an ambulance in Tacloban City to pick them up and bring them on time for the arrival of the air ambulance.

By 10:00 am that same day, the patient is already on his way to Manila for an appropriate surgery and treatment at an adequate medical facility. Upon arrival at the airport, the patient was immediately transferred to a ground ambulance in waiting to take him to the medical facility.

Airgurus Ltd. Co., uses the most appropriate means of transfer according to the locations, weather conditions and condition of the patient. Transfer is made possible either by airplanes and helicopters. Critical care aircraft are all outfitted as flying intensive care units with all lifesaving equipment and medication. The Medical flight  staff are all highly trained to handle the most critical of patients whether they are on life support, have myocardial infraction or multi-trauma etc., providing dedicated critical care in the skies. Airgurus' air ambulance / medevac service ensures continuity of quality care to all our patients.

For Medical Evacuations / Air Ambulance, call Airgurus on the 24/7 hotlines at +632 781 2707 / +632 781 0787 / +63 920 955 0897 / +63 908 888 6829 / +63 917 596 6288 or email us at info@airgurus.com 

ALL ABOUT SKYAID AIR AMBULANCE

SkyAid is a membership program that provides access to medical air transportation by Airgurus Ltd. Co. and Aeromed, leaders in air ambulance service in the Philippines.

 

Each year, thousands of Filipinos become victims of accidents and illnesses in different parts of the Philippines without access to adequate medical care or emergency services. Due to this increasing need for medical rescues, Airgurus Ltd. Co. and Aeromed came up with "SkyAid", the first and only air ambulance membership card program in the Philippines. 

Upon enrollment, members are entitled to free medical transfers to an accredited hospital of their choice in the event of a medical emergency at no additional cost.

 

With our extensive experience in medical evacuations and assistance, we will take care of you on board our state-of-the-art aircraft. Our mission is to accommodate all your air ambulance needs at the highest level of security, speed, comfort and efficiency, resulting to the best aero medical care possible at the most cost effective membership price.

Medical evacuations can cost as much as one million pesos ($20,000) within the Philippines, but as a SkyAid member, it will cost you nothing!

If you're ever in a medical emergency or accident far away from adequate medical care anywhere in the Philippines, the best solution is now within your reach—SkyAid. 

Benefits of Membership

SkyAid membership is a subscription-based program that provides prepaid protection against all Medivac transport cost. SkyAid ambulance membership offers several benefits.

• Two (2) emergency air transports per year at no cost.
• Maximum of twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) of emergency medical assistance fund.
• Access to SkyAid Air ambulance service 24/7/365 from any point of the Philippines.
• And become a SkyAid member is a good way to support the health care needs of rural communities in the Philippines through our outreached program.
• All members of SkyAid are entitled to 20% discount on aircraft charter from Airgurus Ltd. Co.

 Eligibility

• Anyone under the age of 70 may apply for membership.
• Membership is valid only if the applicable membership down payment is collected.
• Family members shall include the name primary member, his or her spouse and up to two of their children (including step, foster or legally adopted children)  under the age  of 40.
• Due to aircraft weight and size, members must weigh less than 300 pounds. 

 

When We Will Transport You

• Extensive or urgent medical attention is needed and time critical, when illness or injury requires treatment by specialist and/or use of the  facilities of other hospitals within 24 hours.
• Confirmation from attending physician that declares patient is stable for medevac.
• You must have confirmed admission at the receiving hospital prior to transport.
• Critical illness or injury where patient cannot be transported by commercial means.
• Both the originating and receiving hospital/clinics must be reasonably accessible  by ground ambulance  to transport  the member to and  from an airfield/helipad capable of accommodating the medical aircraft we provide.

To know about membership costs, click here.

To know more about SkyAid, visit the website www.airgurus.com click SkyAid.

Be a member now!

Call Airgurus 24/7 at +632 583 6337 / +632 854 4086 / +63 920 955 0897 / +63 917 596 6288
or click here to send us an email.

SKYAID AIR AMBULANCE FOR DIVERS: CASE #1 ARTERIAL GAS EMBOLISM

Airgurus Ltd. Co.  provides Air Ambulance services throughout the Philippines via our SkyAid Membership program. For divers in the country (local or foreign), we are starting to spread awareness on how important it is to have an air ambulance on a standby to provide rescue and medical transfer to the appropriate medical facilities in the Philippines.

SkyAid was created out of our intent to provide Medical Evacuation (Medivac / Medevac) support in the Philippines.

  
One the of most common scuba diving accidents or case we encountered is arterial gas embolism. By definition, it is caused by the expansion of respiratory gases during ascent. It also occurs when the breath is held during ascent from a dive, when there is local pulmonary pathology, when there is dynamic airway collapse in the non-cartilaginous airways and if there is low pulmonary compliance particularly if this is not distributed evenly throughout the lungs.

Recognize these symptoms during or immediately upon surfacing:

• Bloody froth from mouth or nose
• Disorientation
• Chest pain
• Paralysis or weakness
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Personality change
• Focal or generalized convulsions
• Other neurological abnormalities
• Hemoptysis (bloody sputum) 
• Unconsciousness
• Convulsions
• Stopped breathing
• Marbling of the skin
• Air bubbles in the retinal vessels of the eye
• Liebermeister's sign (a sharply defined area of pallor in the tongue)
• Death 

Recognize Early Management:

• CPR if required.
• Open airway... prevent aspiration. Perform an intubation procedure if a trained person is available.
• Give 02... remove only to open airway or if convulsions ensue. 
• If conscious, give non-alcoholic liquids.
• Place diver in horizontal and neutral position. 
• Restrain convulsing person loosely and resume O2 as soon as airway is open. 
• Protect from excessive cold, heat, water or fumes.
• Transport to nearest ER for evaluation and stabilization in preparation for removal to the nearest re-compression chamber.
• Make the calls! Call your Divers Alert Network (DAN) as seen hereunder:

or 

        Call Airgurus' SkyAid hotlines +632 5836337 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +632 5836337      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, +632 8544086 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +632 8544086      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, +63 9209550897 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +63 9209550897      end_of_the_skype_highlighting and +63 9175966288 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +63 9175966288      end_of_the_skype_highlighting for immediate medical evacuation. Air evacuation should be at sea level pressure or as low as possible in an unpressurized aircraft which Airgurus Ltd. Co. can provide.

Recognizing immediate treatment necessary for the diver is a must. To get transferred to recompression facilities would require an air ambulance.  Wherever you are in the Philippines, SkyAid's Medevac / Medivac is your best solution as we at Airgurus Ltd. Co. provide SkyAid Air Ambulance Membership to scuba diving enthusiasts (see package hereunder):

Whether you are a local or foreign national diving in the Philippines, this membership is an important and very practical choice for you in case of emergencies. For non-members of SkyAid, we offer chartering our SkyAid Air Ambulance but we rather suggest best that you sign up for a membership program so you and/or your family don't have to spend a lot for it! It's the best way to go and SkyAid is the best solution for diving accidents like arterial gas embolism. 

Scuba diving is still an incredibly safe sport when done properly. Also, keep in mind the golden rule of scuba diving... "Do not hold your breath!" 

Get your membership set now! Don't hold your breath on this one too! You never know... but it's always best when you come prepared and in cases like this, SkyAid is your lifeline!


Written for Airgurus by: Ms. Jodge Ledesma (http://www.socialmediawhore.blogspot.com)
Chopper Image by: Vincent Garrucho of eyeQ media
Diving Images by Airgurus' Heli-Dive Master: Mr. Neal Lim
Sources: www.thecubasite.com, www.scuba-doc.com and www.danasiapacific.org

AUSTRALIAN WOMAN RESCUED

A 25 years old Aussie was rescued from Mt. Kanlaon via Airgurus Medevac Helicopter to a treatment facility in Cebu City.

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—A 25-year-old Australian woman, who injured her leg while climbing active Kanlaon volcano, was successfully carried down its rugged slopes and airlifted Thursday afternoon to Cebu City for treatment, according to Angelo Bibar, Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park eco-tourism officer.

Leah McCaroll, 25, a volunteer of the Negros Island Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development Foundation (Nisard), had joined a team, including other Australians, that began their climb of the volcano at Mambucal, Murcia on Saturday.

On Monday, as she was approaching the Pagatpat Ridge, about a half day’s walk from the Kanlaon’s crater, McCaroll slipped and sprained her left knee, which swelled up to her thigh. Bibar said the injury rendered her unable to walk.

Bibar said the Australians then called for a helicopter but the aircraft was unable to rescue McCaroll due to poor visibility.

Waiting for the helicopter delayed bringing McCaroll down on a stretcher by a day, Bibar said.
When the team that brought her down arrived at Guintubdan in La Carlota Thursday afternoon, she was shuttled by vehicle to a waiting helicopter for transport to Cebu City as the Australian’s insurance covers treatment at a hospital there, he said.

News Source:

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20101202-306619/Female-Aussie-hurt-in-Kanlaon-trek-airlifted-to-Cebu

The rescue team was composed of guides from Guintubdan, porters, SkyAid, Airgurus Medevac Team. Leah McCarroll is currently recovering at a Cebu City Hospital.

It is really comforting to know that in the event of people in the Philippines getting stuck in remote areas, they can call and count on Airgurus for Medevac (Medical Evacuation)

Blog Source:  http://socialmediawhore.blogspot.com/2010/12/australian-woman-rescued.html