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 / Medivac / EMS / HEMS in the Philippines

Airgurus provides professional Air ambulance services and is recognized as a leader in medical air transportation in the Philippines. Our flight crew include some of the most experienced flight paramedics in field. Airgurus owns and operates the Bell 206- L3 which features state-of-the-art medical equipment and is the only helicopter with litter kit (Double deck stretcher) in the Philippines... managed and maintained by  Airgurus' employed highly trained flight crews. 

Our Air Ambulance Service offers 24 hours emergency and non-emergency medical transport services throughout the country. Our commitment to excellence is to provide out patients with the highest level of aero medical care including Medivac/Medevac (Medical Evacuation) services at the most cost effective price. 

This commitment to quality and cost effective is delivered by combining the talents of our highly trained medical and service oriented flight crews and a quality driven management team dedicated to treating each of our patients as if they were members of our own family.

Our Medevac Service capabilities are supported by our 24 hours flight coordination center staffed by air ambulance specialists. Our flight coordinators are specialized in assisting customers in all aspect to ensure a smooth, safe and efficient transfer of the patient.

Airgurus Ltd. Co. is the number one in the Philippines when it comes to Medevac/Medivac because of our reliability and fast response in operation, fully equipped medical apparatus, highly trained medical flight personnel, tie-ups with the Philippine's most equipped and advanced hospitals and insurance companies worldwide.


For a fast quote, contact our 24/7 operations center at +632 781 2707 / +632 781 0787 / + 632 920 955 0897 / +632 908 888 6829 / +63 917 596 6288 or email us directly at info@airgurus.com

What Filipinos Should Know About Medevac Via SkyAid

A repost... is one story every Filipino should know because our insurance policies in the Philippines do not cover medevac. Airgurus provided a solution to this lingering problem in the country.

Click to zoom!

Please read all about it here... MEDEVAC VIA SKYAID: WHY WE FILIPINOS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT

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

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