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.

MEDEVAC VIA SKYAID: WHY WE FILIPINOS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT

Most Filipinos do not have an inkling as to what Medevac really is. For the past 7 months, I have been working for an aircraft company called Airgurus... the only  provider of professional Medevac / Air Ambulance services. I have been actively sharing other people's experiences in the internet as I have witnessed the unfolding dramas of medical evacuations as I am, myself, part of the Medevac team.  However, it was only till yesterday that I got a full grip of why we Filipinos really need it the most. 

Being a single parent of a 7 years old kid, I was considering of having my son undergo medical evacuation although it wasn't how I perceived my son would have for his first heli or private plane experience. We were so fortunate though, that we didn't have to go through it as treatment was given first hand and is on his way to recovery. 


Medical evacuation is the process of retrieving an ailing person and transport him to facilities where proper medical care is available whether it be land-based or airborne. Airborne medical evacuations occur many times each day, all over the world. We call it "medevac" for short and someday, you just might need it too.

The medevac experts say that the odds are one only in 10,000 that you will become sick or injured and that you will need special transportation towards home or at least to a modern fully equipped hospital. When it happens though, the financial burden can be as catastrophic as the health crisis that precipitated it especially that us Filipinos, do not have medevac coverage in our life and health insurance in the country.


It is sad. When you get sick in the provinces and be needing a medevac to a hospital in Manila, expect that you would be spending at about US$10,000. The price gets higher as the location goes further away from Manila. If medical specialists or exotic equipment (say a neonatal team or a balloon pump for cardiac patients) are required, the price even goes higher.

In our country, medevac operations use dedicated private aircraft (fixed wings or a helicopter) as commercial flights do not allow this. In extreme conditions, helicopter or specially arranged flights may be required and the cost of this transport can be really devastating.  Reasonable examples include ocean rescue, mountain rescue and remote rescue. We can't prevent illness but if something happens to us, we have the solution in the Philippines... Airgurus' SkyAid.  

SkyAid is not an insurance plan. It's a membership plan of Airgurus Ltd. Co. that provides Medical Evacuation (Medevac) when your medical condition requires immediate transportation from the place where you are injured or sick to the nearest hospital where you can receive the medical treatment you need.  Capt. Harry Lero of Airgurus thought about this, knowing the dilemma of each Filipino in the country when it comes to medevac... as it is very expensive indeed. 


I am telling you, my dear readers... based on my own experience, that it wise for us to enroll ourselves and our loved ones on SkyAid. Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care alone can be already expensive and medical evacuations can be as catastrophic as the health crisis before it. 


Please read more details on SkyAid at the Airgurus website www.airgurus.ph. 


SkyAid can save your life... or life's savings.  


God bless us all in the Philippines and God bless SkyAid!

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

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.

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.

WHAT CAN YOU CHARTER A HELICOPTER FOR?

Airgurus Ltd. Co. is the leading helicopter charter and aircraft company in the Philippines with a 24/7 operations center at Delta Hangar, Domestic Airport Road, Pasay City.

The following are popular uses for helicopters especially for first time flyers as per Airgurus:

• Helicopter sightseeing.... perhaps over a local landmark during sunset.
• Helicopter flying lesson, often called trial lessons or air experience flights, when the customer gets a chance to try flying for themselves
• A helicopter flight to a wedding, perhaps one’s own!
• A helicopter trip to Boracay, Baguio, Palawan and many other tourist destinations!
• A helicopter experience, or short hop to just experience the magic of a rotary flight!

There are many other important reasons for chartering a helicopter... i.e., medical evacuation, air ambulance and search and rescue operations! Almost anything can be arranged if the prospective customer simply lets their requirements be known.

Points to Consider When Choosing A Helicopter Operator

• Helicopter flying is not cheap, but it may not be as expensive as some people think. 
• It is worth the customer considering what it is that they actually want. 
• If all that is wanted is to see what it feels like, it is best to look for a company which arranges the most number of helicopter experiences. 
• These may be very short flights of five or ten minutes, with a number of people aboard; so they can be done reasonably and economically. 
• If the customer has a special requirement and needs the helicopter for himself, family or friends, this can be arranged but he will pay accordingly.
• It is always worth shopping around and letting the helicopter charter company know exactly what is required.
• The customer will pay before the helicopter leaves its base.

A helicopter trip is very special. If it is planned carefully, it could provide a never-to-be-forgotten experience. Airgurus Ltd. Co. can fly you anytime you want, wherever you want, with as little as two (2) hours notice or even less provided an aircraft is readily available.


Call Airgurus 24/7 at +632 583 6337 / +632 854 4086 / +63 905 272 3022 / +63 920 955 0897 / +63 917 596 6288 or click here to send us an email.

Photo credits to Vincent Garrucho and Jodge Ledesma