Showing posts with label Helicopter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Helicopter. Show all posts

Sunday, July 31, 2011

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.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

ISLAND HELICOPTER TOURS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Take an adventure in the sky and see the Philippine Islands as it was meant to be seen... from luxurious and fast helicopters of Airgurus Ltd. Co., the number one helicopter charter company in the Philippines!






Take to the air for a unique perspective of the beautiful islands as you get a bird's eye view from a helicopter.   Philippines has 7,107 islands during low tide and 7,107 islands during high tide. The number of islands never change at tide reversals and they will always be the same at 7,107... all ready to be explored by you via Airgurus' helicopters.






The crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, modern resorts along coastlines of the best white sandy islands around the Philippines can be truly appreciated from the viewpoint a helicopter can provide. Along the way to each islands, you will see breathtaking lush tropical forests and mountain ranges.






Enjoy the best of the Philippines while on an Airgurus helicopter ride! Contact info@airgurus.com to arrange for an aerial photography or video flight or visit their website www.airgurus.com

    Sunday, May 29, 2011

    AIRGURUS' BELL 206L3 LONGRANGER

    Versatility... Reliabilty... Power and Value... The Bell 206L3 LongRanger is the captain of Airgurus' fleet of helicopters.






    Whether the mission is corporate or VIP transportation, EMS, offshore oil and gas rig support, aerial photography, TV / Film Works, sling load operations, and many more, it has what it takes to accomplish it. The powerful and reliable 650-horsepower Rolls-Royce engine flies higher and farther. For superiority safety, it has a high-inertial two-bladed rotor system while the patented suspension system delivers an incredibly smooth ride. It can hold up to seven passengers, very comfortably and the club-passenger seating allows for face-to-face conversations.   






    The 206L LongRanger is a stretched variant with seating for seven (the LongRanger, stretched a total of 30 inches (760 mm), adds two rear-facing seats in between the front and rear seats). Since their first delivery in 1975, Bell has produced more than 1,700 Ls across all variant types. In 1981 a military version was released, the 206L "TexasRanger". The original 206L utilized an Allison 250-C20B engine, and a series of model upgrades replaced this engine with more powerful versions; the 206L-1 used a 250-C28 and the 206L-3 and 206L-4 used the 250-C30P with 490 shaft horsepower.


    In 2007, Bell announced an upgrade program for the 206L-1 and 206L-3 which is designed to modify the aircraft to the 206L-4 configuration; modified aircraft are designated 206L-1+ and 206L-3+. Modifications include strengthened airframe structural components (including a new tailboom), improved transmission, upgraded engine for the L-1, all of which result in a max gross weight increase of 300 pounds and increased performance. 




    The Bell 206L3 is without a doubt, the best choice for helicopter charter and air ambulance services in the Philippines with Airgurus Ltd. Co


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

    CAPT. HARRY V. LERO OF AIRGURUS LTD. CO.

    Capt. Harry V. Lero, C.E.O. and Chief Pilot of Airgurus Ltd. Co., is the third-generation pilot in the Lero clan.






    As a little boy, he grew up with his siblings watching their grandfather and father, Capt. Harry Lero, take off and land on helipads all over the Philippines. He even flew with them hundreds of times. While his two other siblings wanted different dreams and professions in life, young Harry Harvey Lero always wanted to be a pilot. He learned everything about helicopters at a very young age.




    Fascinated with speed, safety and precision, he formally had his private pilot ground course at PHILSCA and took his commercial ground course and instrument rating ground course at the Asian Aviation Academy. His helicopter ground course and some flight trainings were done at Airworks then later on in Canada and in the U.S.A. for more trainings.  With all the formal courses and trainings Capt. Harry Harvey Lero took in life, everything he had to learn was already gradually taught to him in his early teens by his own father and grandfather... the best helicopter flight instructors anyone can ever have.






    In 2005, Harry Harvey came back from the US after successful business ventures there and put up Airgurus Ltd. Co. in Manila, Philippines. It was a struggle to begin with, but with his perseverance and goals to make the business thrive, Capt. Harry Harvey Lero became one of the most successful helicopter pilot in the Philippines. With his knack on finding the right people and staff to support and share his dreams, goals and passion with, he was able to form a incredibly-dedicated management team that now makes Airgurus Ltd. Co.... the most formidable helicopter and aircraft charter in the country and in Asia.





    Hailed by Business Magazine in 2010 as the Master of the Skies, Capt. Harry Harvey Lero is the best and most reliable helicopter pilot in the country. We fondly call him the "Speedmaster" with his ability and skills to provide compelling efficiency, precision, safety and quality service to clients. We also call him the "Extractor" for his personal goals for successfully delivering medically-ill patients through their "golden hours"... the hours between life and death via Airgurus' Air Ambulance / Medevac Service.

    Capt. Harry Harvey Lero is indeed, the true Master of the Skies.



    Images by:
    Vincent Garrucho and Andy Rodriguez

    Wednesday, May 18, 2011

    HELI-DIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES

    It is without a doubt... the most adrenalin rush scuba diving activity to last several lifetimes and it's finally here in the Philippines solely provided to you by Airgurus Ltd. Co.... the sole provider of professional aero-medical evacuation in the country!






    Heli diving... The feeling is incredible... the atmosphere is hyped by other enthusiastic, courageous and definitely not insane heli-divers. Imagine the rotor blades are just within arms reach away when balancing on the chopper skids as you are in your full scuba gear hovering meters above the ocean when you receive the tapping countdown 3, 2, 1 and JUMP!!!














    Emerging from the huge plunge... being greeted by the other excited, scared, drooling future jumpers at the drop zone is a sensation totally out of this world! 





    It wasn't long ago that I blogged about introducing heli-diving in the Philippines as a fun adventure sport. My childhood best friend, Capt. Harry Lero (Airgurus' Chief Pilot) and I are the creators or founders of Heli Diving in the Philippines. With perseverance and passion, it has now become a reality and a new adventure sport to be enjoyed. This, I must say to put all records straight from now. We did our little sports and adventures together as kids and now, as grown-ups, we are introducing our new passion... an adventure sport in the country with Heli Diving or Helicopter Diving.






    Our company, Airgurus Ltd. Co. is now ready with a formidable team that will be difficult for any business competitor to duplicate.  Read on why I confidently say that...

    Coordination, professionalism and communication is the key for a precise, safe and exhilarating heli-dive / heli-jump of our new enthusiasts. From Airgurus' Captain Harry Lero (the Heli-Dive Master of the Skies) to the Airgurus Heli-Dive Activity Coordinator (moi, while documenting the entire thing), to our Heli-Dive Consultant (James Omac of James Omac Scuba Academy), to hand signals to two dive instructors, to 3 first aid responders on the speedboat, to our co-developer and Airgurus' Official Heli-Dive Photography Master (Vincent Garrucho), to his other shooters and to ground ambulance crew on standby, etc., communication is passed on via our hand held radios. There is absolutely no room now for a copy-cat in the Philippines nor for enthusiasts to think of chartering helicopters for the same activity from other companies or fly-by-night operators because with Airgurus Ltd. Co, it's all about professional logistics and safety. 







    The buzz from the helicopter ride to jumping out of a helicopter after you've just zoomed your way towards the spot, is unreal. Running on pure adrenaline, you'd be wishing it would last forever!




    Do you want to experience heli-diving in the Philippines? Inquire at 
    info@airgurus.com or call the following 24/7 Heli-Diving Philippines hotline of Airgurus Ltd. Co at: +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.

    Still in doubt? There will be basic trainings, briefings, health checks, etc. as part of our helicopter diving protocol. Remember, If you don't jump now, you'll be too old for it! At least, I did it and I can't wait for the next one again!

    Heli Diving in the Philippines... Anywhere.  Anytime. Airgurus.



    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Airgurus Ltd. Co's Heli Diving Philippines project was created to help promote the thousands of great diving spots in the Philippines, boost the tourism industry and help diving communities' livelihood thrive.


    For this adventure sport, Airgurus Ltd. Co exclusively works hand in hand with James Omac of James Omac Scuba Diving Academy.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Photo Credits: Vincent Garrucho, Garth Melchor, Cyara Castillo and Jodge Ledesma 

    Wednesday, April 27, 2011

    AIRGURUS' AERIAL FILMING PROJECT IN THE PHILIPPINES

    I am proud of my company Airgurus Ltd. Co. for having been trusted by world-renowned aerial filming specialists HeliAir Sweden for their previous Survivor series projects in the Philippines. 






    This year (2011), Airgurus Ltd. Co. as again has earned the trust and confidence of HeliAir Sweden that the latter acquired once more Airgurus' helicopter services for the same project series in the Philippines.





    Airgurus Ltd. Co. is the best helicopter charter company in the Philippines providing a wide array of services including Aerial Photography and Aerial Filmworks.

    As of writing, HeliAir Sweden with their gyro-stabilized Cineflex HD camera systems are flying over the Southern parts of the Philippines via Airgurus' Bell 206L helicopter.


    The Cineflex HD camera is the world's best helicopter camera that this amazing one is used for BBC's Planet Earth series... providing amazingly smooth aerial video footage.



    I happened to meet one of the world-famous aerial directors, Tobias Larrson of HeliAir Sweden as he was installing their Cineflex HD camera to the Bell 206L helicopter and I was told that his new "baby" offers a new wide-angle lens for their Cineflex system. Fujinon HA 22x7.8 with a focal length equivalent to 35mm film: 16-360mm.... perfect for fast-paced action scenes to stunning landscape images. 


    See video below for what HeliAir Sweden did with Airgurus in the previous Swedish Survivor series:


    Video created by Ninoo of Cyberbees Philippines Team

    Aerial shots in this video are done by HeliAir Sweden entirely in Palawan, Philippines. HeliAir Sweden's shipped their Cineflex System to Manila, Philippines and installed it on Airgurus' Bell 206L to create those amazing scenes for their Swedish Survivor Series 2008 and 2010.

    Airgurus Ltd. Co., is the best helicopter charter company in the Philippines with highly-skilled and experienced pilots spearheaded by Capt. Harry Lero, to help you with your aerial filmworks.

    For your professional aerial filming needs, go consult the best: http://www.heliairsweden.com/

    For helicopter services for special film projects or aerial filming in the Philippines, contact Cyberbees Ltd. Co. at +63 905 2723022 / + 63 2 2182075 or email at cyberbees.ph@gmail.com or at info@airgurus.com

    Friday, April 15, 2011

    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 27-31oC. 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!

    Thursday, March 10, 2011

    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.

    Tuesday, March 8, 2011

    A LIFE AT SEA SAVED!: THE CAPE VENI MEDEVAC

    Airgurus Ltd. Co., with its' SkyAid, the leading air ambulance provider in the Philippines, saved another life last March 4, 2011!  





    Tomas Tembrevilla, a Filipino and a second officer at sea on board the vessel, Cape Veni has undergone a medical evacuation from the said vessel by Airgurus' air ambulance (helicopter) and was brought to Davao Doctors Hospital for immediate treatment.


    It was around 12am of March 4, 2011, Airgurus Ltd. Co. received a distress call from Pandiman Philippines, Inc. (P&I Correspondent in the Philippines), that one of their Cape Veni's seamen on board was suffering from an unknown illness with symptoms of vomiting prior to his medical evacuation (Medivac/Medevac) to Davao Doctor's Hospital.


    The patient initially complained of dizziness, headaches, feeling very weak and cannot open his eyes... several years ago he informed he had gastric problems but at that time before medevac, he was not taking any self-medication aside from vitamins.






    Cape Veni at that time, was already deviating it's course to Zamboanga, Philippines. Information was relayed from the good master of the vessel Cape Veni, Captain Nikolaos Georgiades informed Pandiman Philippines Inc. that the vessel has as of 07:45 Lt arrived in R/V position 07 06 N 121 43E approx 10nm off the coast of Zamboanga. The vessel is a Cape Size bulk carrier and has a helicopter landing operations designated area on top of hatch number six (6).

    Airgurus' Capt. Lero immediately comfirmed that the SkyAid helicopter will immediately fly out to Zamboanga with its' medical team from Aeromed by 6am of the same day to conduct medical evacuation / extraction of Mr. Tembrevilla.

     
    The chopper left on schedule and reached the vessel Cape Veni all the way from Manila by 2pm. The chopper had to go through a series of refueling at islands along its way to the vessel.  By 2:30, Airgurus' SkyAid helicopter with Mr. Tembrevilla on board was already on its' way 25 nautical miles off Zamboanga to Davao airport.




    At around 2:45pm, Airgurus' SkyAid management team... Ella Tabulina, Bernard Villanueva and myself in Manila, were already coordinating for a ground ambulance to pick up the medevac patient. We had some trouble organizing schedules with private ambulance contacts but with the great help of Anna, the secretary of Davao Airport's director and Chief Oscar Pantoja of Davao airport, we were able to organize for Davao's Rescue 911 ambulance for the pick up of Mr. Tembrevilla at 5:10pm. By 5:15pm, Mr. Tembrevilla was on his way to the Davao Doctors' hospital for immediate treatment. The SkyAid team did it again and Airgurus did a good job in saving lives! Props to Davao Rescue 911 and Chief Oscar Pantoja for the quick response!


    Airgurus Ltd. Co., provides air ambulance services in the Philippines and is recognized as the leader in medical air transportation. The flight crew includes the most experienced flight paramedics in the field along with the highly skilled pilots who makes sure that time is not wasted. 






    Airgurus' air ambulance services offers 24-hours emergency and non-emergency medical transport throughout Philippines and Asia, providing patients with the highest level of aero-medical care combined with the skills of highly-trained medical flight crews and a management team to ensure a smooth, safe and efficient transfer of each patient.


    Should you need an air ambulance, immediately contact the following:

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