PICKING THE BEST AIR AMBULANCE PROVIDER IN THE PHILIPPINES

An air ambulance is our emergency room in the sky. 

I've been blogging about Airgurus' Air Ambulance services in the country for quite some time now and I have received direct emails from people wishing they have read my blogs when they needed medical air transport for their loved ones and/or friends as they openly admitted to me that that they should have picked the right air ambulance provider.

Some of these people made grave mistakes. Some people have gone for lower rates, some have gone for the newest aircraft, some for the nearest available aircraft and all three somehow have contributed to non-satisfactory medical transfer of patients resulting to complaints, complications, etc.

When needing an Air Ambulance in the Philippines, it's not just about picking the newest, fastest, so-called medically-equipped aircraft or the nearest available aircraft to transport patients by air... there is so much more... after all, it's about life I'm talking about! Time is muscle and understandably, we can't afford to lose time but a minute of deliberating which air ambulance provider we should get will make a big difference. 

It's a given fact... All aircraft are just a few hours away from any point of origin around the Philippine Archipelago. In fact, anyone with an aircraft can do it. However, an air ambulance as I have earlier mentioned, is our emergency room in the sky which means... only a highly-skilled pilot, a medically-souped-up aircraft, a highly-experienced flight doctor and an equally highly-experienced medical flight/nurse can provide patients... the best critical air care should anything happen during transit. 

When I speak about the words "highly-experienced", the most important points to be considered in choosing an air ambulance provider:

1. A lot of flying hours done.

Doing Medevac especially on bad weather conditions is not easy as practicing medicine in the sky presents its own difficulties. Only those with the most number of flying hours or years of flying done for the sole purpose of Medevac are the ones I would trust my own life with.

2. A vast expertise on handling patients with various medical cases, injuries, etc. in tight quarters of an air ambulance. 

The depletion of oxygen and changing air pressure are always medical challenges. Medevac pilots and their dedicated medical flight crew with many flying Medevac hours served,know this very well. I wouldn't count on an air ambulance provider banking on constant changes of medical doctors and nurses, volunteers, newly-grads and newbies.

3. An in-depth intensive care experience by air.

The noise, vibrations and the temperature of the aircraft can present problems for the patient's health and comfort. Hundreds or thousands feet in the air in tight, sometimes turbulent cabins of a turboprop aircraft and helicopters, the medical flight crew restart hearts, insert breathing tubes, deliver babies and save lives.

With all 3 points to consider, I only know of one Air Ambulance provider in the Philippines who does it professionally and it is Airgurus. Aside from the fact that they are the only aircraft provider with a state-of-the-art medical equipment with litter kit (double-deck stretcher) they always have successful medevac operations, the most number of medevac services served and most of all, they do not allow putting a life in the hands of volunteering doctors and nurses as they have a dedicated medical flight crew.

How to contact Airgurus?

For serious inquiries only, contact +632 6248274 | +632 2749758 | +639 925 889 2987 | +63 917 885 7911or email them at info@airgurus.ph. For fast quotation, please visit the website www.airgurus.ph.

A DIVING EXPERIENCE IN PARADISE GONE WRONG

Diving in the Philippines is all year-round but the best time is generally from December to April. The monsoon season starts July to September. The hottest months are April, May and June with temperatures over 32 ^oC. Water temperatures all year round are 27-31^oC. This is one of the reasons why millions dive here in the Philippines aside from the fact that the entire archipelago has thousands of dive spots to offer.

Airgurus Ltd. Co., the only professional air ambulance and medical evacuation provider in the Philippines did the medevac/medical evacuation of a 24 years old male Israeli from Puerto Princessa, Palawan last April 1, 2011. 

This diver from Israel had two pleasurable dives in Palawan, Philippines. His first dive started at 11am and the second dive was at 2pm when something happened. It was when the Israeli diver figured in diving mishap. He had himself checked right away at a District Hospital and was initially diagnosed with mediastinal emphysema which required him to be rapidly transported  to a hyperbaric chamber anywhere in the Philippines. Airgurus flew this diver from Puerto Princesa, Palawan to St. Luke's Hospital Global City as advised by his insurance company.

Mediastinal emphysema is one of the maladies that can afflict underwater underwater divers who breathe compressed air. As a diver descends, the external pressure upon his increases. The air he breathes is more dense and concentrated than the air breathed on the surface. While the diver remains deeply submerged, there is no difficulty. However, when he begins to ascend again, the external pressure decreases and the lungs begin to expand because the air inside has less pressure to contain it.  If the diver breathes normally or exhales as he ascends at a moderate rate, the extra gas pressure is relieved by exhaling. If the diver holds his breath, rises too rapidly, or has respiratory obstructions such as cysts, mucus plugs, or scar tissue, which do not permit sufficient release of air, the lungs become overinflated and rupture. Air bubbles can enter the veins and capillaries of the circulatory system directly, causing an air embolism, or they can travel through the lung tissue to other areas of the body.

 In mediastinal emphysema, the air bubbles usually pass along the outside of blood vessels and the respiratory tubes (bronchi) until they reach the mediastinal cavity. This area contains the heart, major blood vessels, main bronchi and the trachea (air tube from nose and mouth). Air trapped in the mediastium expands as the diver continues to rise. The pressure may cause intense pain beneath the rib cage and in the shoulders; the expanding air may compress the respiratory passageways, making breathing difficult, and collapse blood vessels vital to circulation. 


The symptoms of mediastinal emphysema may range from pain under the breastbone, shock, and shallow breathing to unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and cyanosis (blue coloring of the skin). In cases in which the symptoms are not severe, the air will be absorbed by the body, or it may be removed by inserting a long hypodermic needle into the mediastinum to draw off the air. If there is a respiratory or circulatory distress, the victim must be recompressed in a hyperbaric chamber so that the body can resume its' essential functions before the air is removed such as in the case of  the aforementioned diver.

Diving in the Philippines is a great experience but there are unexpected hazards that may come along with it if one is not being careful. Airgurus Ltd. Co. encourages local and foreign divers intending to dive in the Philippines to check their insurance companies and to make sure that air ambulance / medevac is covered.  

To know more about medical evacuation for divers in the Philippines,  contact +632 6248274 | +632 2749758 | +639 925 889 2987 | +63 917 885 7911or email them at info@airgurus.ph. For fast quotation, please visit the website www.airgurus.ph.

Thanks to Neal Lim for the images!

MY LIFE IN THE MEDEVAC CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM

It's about time to say that I am very proud to be part of Airgurus Ltd. Co. the pioneers and leaders in air medical transport (Medevac / Medivac - Medical Evacuation) in the Philippines, Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific as the company continues to be the largest and safest provider of air transport services and medical assistance. Woot! Woot!

It's only been four (4) months since I joined the company and handled its' Marketing department (their first LOL ... online and offline) and now, I can say with great pride that we have become the largest provider of air ambulances (fixed wing and rotor) in the Philippines. Airgurus Ltd. Co. has earned a reputation of high safety standards and professionalism both nationally and internationally. Not a day goes by that we haven't been confidently and efficiently evacuating the seriously injured or sick patients from even the remotest of areas.... even far out international shores especially starting last month!

 
Many calls us for patients requiring specialized care, urgent surgeries needing to be transferred to hospitals with adequate facilities for their condition. Time plays an important factor for Airgurus' Medical Evacuation Crew thus; we provide rapid, professional care and transferring of these patients. Many at times already that I see ourselves in the team fully-dedicated to providing flawless professional air ambulance transport of patients to and from anywhere in the Philippines, outside international shores and other continents.

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 our fleet of airplanes and helicopters. Critical care aircraft are all outfitted as flying intensive care units with all lifesaving equipment and medication. Our AeroMed flight medical staff are all highly trained to handle the most critical of patients whether they are on life support, have myocardial infarction or multi-trauma etc., providing dedicated critical care in the skies. Our service ensures continuity of quality care to all our patients.

For the past two (2) months, our clientele has expanded internationally. Our full time aero medical teams have started to provide coordinated "bedside-to-bedside" transfer worldwide. I found the team available to respond quickly to emergencies that within minutes of a call, all the necessary arrangements for that service is coordinated to the appropriate medical team, specialists, highly-skilled pilots while taking into consideration... the patient's best interest. Yes... the medical teams are chosen carefully based on the needs of each patient. 

It makes me happy and proud of my company and of the team when patients, their families, companies and other various organizations entrusts us to safely transport their loved ones, friends, clients, employees, etc. The praises through calls and e-mails have been overwhelming. The medevac crisis team management handles basic life support, advanced life support, critical care nationwide and now, critical care on international flights. 

At Airgurus Ltd. Co., I must say now that all of us has hidden wings... yes, I have grown wings too! Not all Filipinos know about medical evacuations / air ambulance's importance and benefits. Aside from assisting on medical emergency calls, it is my primary duty for the company and as a concerned citizen that I spread my own wings to let people know that all of us at Airgurus Ltd. Co. are angels... in our continuing quest for being the lifeline in the skies!

For Medical Evacuations / Air Ambulance, call Airgurus on the 24/7 hotlines at +632 583 6337 / +632 854 4086 / +63 905 272 3022 / +63 920 955 0897 / +63 917 596 6288 or email us at info@airgurus.com 

THE 1st MOUNTAINEERS' BORACAY SUMMER CAMP 2011

Airgurus Ltd. & Co., the number 1 air ambulance/medevac provider and aircraft charter company in the Philippines supports the 1st Mountaineers' Boracay Summer Camp 2011 in Boracay. 

The three (3) days  fun camp experience with the cooperation of Boracay Municipal Mayor John P. Yap, will be on May 19, 20 & 21 of 2011 as SkyAid, the Philippines' Lifeline in the Skies... monitors the entire summer camp activities. Hereunder are details of the 1st Mountaineers' Boracay Summer Camp 2011:

Registration free is Php 3,500.00 per head 

Fee is inclusive of Ticket & Fare (Caticlan - Boracay - Caticlan)

in & out roundtrip terminal fee

in & out environmental fee

boat, van / tricycle

eight (8) meals (P165/meal) from Thursday dinner to Sunday breakfast

All participants will be provided with souvenir programs, IDs & ID holders, T-shirts, Camp certification, Surprise gifts/ items and freebies. On the 21st, three (3) lucky campers of the 1st Mountaineers' Boracay Summer Camp will receive a one (1) year membership from SkyAid, the Philippines' first and only membership program providing access to air medical transport. SkyAid is a brilliant collaboration between Airgurus Ltd. Co. and Aeromed, the leaders in air and ground ambulance service in the country. 

Airgurus Ltd. Co. is the number air ambulance provider in the Philippines!

SkyAid, the Philippines' Lifeline in the Skies!

The deadline of submission for all interested participants, groups, clubs, associations and individuals will be on March 25, 2011. Any group, individual mountaineers and back packers are welcome to join! 

DAY 1 ACTIVITY BOARD click to see schedule

DAY 2 ACTIVITY BOARD click to see schedule

DAY 3 ACTIVITY BOARD click to see schedule

DAY 4 ACTIVITY BOARD click to see schedule

Now, here are the things that participants need to prepare:


1. Tent - for individual or sharing
2. Dress Code - mostly beach wear
3. Knowledge of game rules - on Frisbee, Soccer, Volleyball and others
4. Digital Camera - for documentaries & photo contest by individuals or team

This 1st Mountaineers' Boracay Summer Camp 2011 will be a very exciting and fun one for mountaineers and explorers. Why?... because obviously, it's in Boracay, Philippines! Also, this great and fun reunion for a cause is in support to...Brigada Eskwela (School Brigade) at public school in Boracay Island and gift-giving of school supplies to the Grade 1 pupils of the Public Elementary School in Main Land, Malay.

 

Now, don't you think this will be a fun vacation/camp experience in Boracay this year? For more details, please contact the event organizer, Teng Tupas at mobile number +63 928 4271968!

To know more about Airgurus Ltd. Co. and SkyAid, call the 24/7 operations center at +632 583 6337 / +632 854 4086 / +63 905 272 3022 / +63 920 955 0897 and +63 917 596 6288.

ON HAPPINESS IN SAVING LIVES!

In the pursuit of contentment, choosing the right career has always been my priority... Marketing. However, I made bad calls on a few companies I worked for and even made bad calls for business investments. I worked at a few companies with eight-to-ten-hour jobs that were very monotonous and tiring. I completed my work like a machine. At some of these companies and business ventures, I was one of those people who weren't allowed explore their real interests thus; I had a series of tendencies to get lost in a lifetime of dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

Now, believe I did choose the right career and I found myself in a great company, Airgurus Ltd. Co., the leading helicopter / aircraft charter and air ambulance provider in the Philippines! Why do I say great? This snapshot of a Facebook post below is one of the reasons why:

Marco L. Santos is the Operations Manager Cruise Director at Worldwide Dive and Sail

Marco L. Santos thanked us at Airgurus for the medical evacuation of diver, Victoria Sant from Kalibo, Philippines last January 2011. Victoria had a heart attack after a dive, requiring her for an immediate medical evacuation via one of Airgurus' medically-souped up helicopters upon getting stabilized on board the Philippine Siren. The dive crew brought her to Libertad, Antique and then on to Kalibo for pick-up by Airgurus' chopper. Marco called Capt. Harry Harvey Lero immediately to find a way to extract his guest diver, Victoria Sant fast after her accident. Victoria Sant made it to Makati Medical Center and eventually went home to her country with a new lease in life.

This makes me feel so good about what I'm doing now.  Knowing about good results of majority of our medical evacuations and getting compliments... make me feel so proud that I am part of Airgurus Ltd. Co. 

I call myself The Architect in the company... unraveling the dream within this dream- come-true project... the key person who constructs the dream and web world inside the mind of the Dreamer.

Contracted by Capt. Lero for a specific job position: to manufacture a world of dreams...making it visible and known everywhere and making it a reality. I am propelled by my intellectual curiosity which made me unable to pull myself away from such a unique opportunity of saving lives in the Philippines. The naturally curious and creative person in the great  team, my totem is the acacia tree in front of Airgurus hangar. :P

Little did I know that seeing my childhood best friend, Capt. Harry Harvey Lero, (President and Chief Pilot of Airgurus Ltd. Co. and now also my business partner in Cyberbees Ltd. Co.) after almost 3 decades, would pave way for me to enjoy the best marketing career I've ever had in 12 years. 

Next to his father, Capt. Harry Lero is the best highly-skilled pilot in the Philippines... the absolute best in the art of life extraction by air even when the weather is at its' most vulnerable.

The Extractor is the one who extracts people from life threatening situations... delivering them through their golden hours to a second chance in life. He is the Master Planner... the Dreamer... the dreamer of saving lives.

Capt. Lero and I studied nursing but neither of us ended up being one. He became a pilot just like his childhood dream and I got myself into Marketing fulfilling my dream of being a writer. Now, we're both in pursuit of our real and bigger ambitions... involved in a company of saving human lives! 

With Airgurus Ltd. Co., my world became bigger and better.... primarily enriched by saving lives!

Thank you, HH... for sharing your dreams with me. I'm xtremely proud and grateful that our paths crossed again! :-)