Yes, that could be the case in some situations. After some discussion at the Wednesday meet-up I decided to post up some info on a couple of companies that can help us all in the event we go down and get seriously hurt. The small amount of money, $40-$45, it would cost per year will save you a ton. I for one would rather spend my money on a motorcycle than a Helicopter ride. Do read the info on both companies, as coverage areas differ. And there is no guarantee that they will be the one's dispatched. I wear a CalStar Decal on my helmet to alert medical personnel that I am a member. So check out the following links. If you have any questions, I am happy to help as I can. http://www.calstar.org/ http://www.reachair.com/membership/ Always All the Gear All the Time Desmo Dave
Don't forget Enloe. I believe Enloe and Cal Star have reciprocal agreements but check to be sure. http://www.enloe.org/guide_to_services/emergency_services/flightcare_membership_program.asp Use the code "Thunderhill" and the membership is only $25 a year. It's the best $25 you will ever spend. -Cody
Thanks for the info guys, after hearing that Sai had it and saved himself 35k by shelling out the 25 bucks I am sold!!!
Good question! I think it depends a bit on what area of Ca you ride most and if Enloe has an agreement with other trauma air rescue companies. I have spoken with the folks at CalStar and they have told me that there are no guarantees when it comes to who is dispatched for the call. It is the duty of the personnel at the 911 center to dispatch the first available unit, but if they know you are a member of a certain program and can dispatch without delay, they would do that, which is why I have a CalStar sticker on the Top of my helmet. So, I think that some further research would be good for all of us. I will report back when I have a clarification on this. Anyone else please chime in... Desmo Dave
From their websites... REACH Provides helicopter service from the following base locations in northern and central California: Concord, Lakeport, Lodi, Marysville, Redding and Santa Rosa. Airplane service is offered from our base in Sacramento. Enloe A $45 annual Family Membership fee assures that members will not be billed for out-of-pocket expenses when FlightCare or a reciprocating emergency air service transports them or the dependants of their immediate family. The FlightCare Membership Plan covers reasonable and medically appropriate use of our air ambulance or that of a reciprocating program. Touches the lives of many by responding to emergencies within a 75-mile radius of Enloe, in counties including Butte, Tehama, Glenn, Plumas, Colusa, Sierra, Yuba and parts of Lassen. CalStar Operates in Concord, Gilroy, Auburn, Ukiah, Slainas, South Lake Tahoe, Santa Maria. Vacaville, Hollister, Jackson, McClellan. ======================= I would say call if you have any doubts. Even if you had all 3 it would still be cheap vs. the cost of a life flight. -Cody
Dave, I've been meaning to post this.... Thank you so much for posting! I became a member early this year and I hope I never have to use it.
The rule of the game, as stated already, is dependent on where you ride. The reality is you can and will get any one of the three on a call where they are needed. From where most ride the street here on the forum (El Dorado, Amador, Sacramento and Placer counties) Calstar is your best bet with ships being located in Auburn (right along I-80 at CalFire station #10) South Lake Tahoe and now in Jackson. In addition, another company called PHI is thinking about putting a ship outside of Placerville in the community of Logtown. PHI currently has ships throughout the Western US, mostly in the far north end of the state but also in Columbia and Modesto. To boil it down, getting listed as a member in any and all of them is not a bad idea if you're looking for coverage on the 'what if' factor. And when it comes to stickers on helmets giving a clue to responders on the ground to dispatch a particular company, it may work on the track but it is not going to happen on the street. You're going to get who ever is available and closest. Sounds kind of crappy, but that's the truth. No allegiances to speak of on an accident, as the only thing that really matters is getting you to a Trauma Center within that Golden Hour. And yes, I have them all. I'm paranoid like that.
I don't know how much more of a discount we could get. The Thunderhill group discount is pretty good already.
Pyxie, Your welcome, I hope that none of us ever need it, but just in case it's a good thing to have. Desmo
Good info, thank you. For $40 each I just signed up for both of them. Here's to never having to use them :cheers2:
What size stickers do you have? I have one that is about the size of a half dollar that I put on the very top of my helmet so that it can be easily seen. I may be able to get more, anyone interested? Desmo