Air ambulance: The future of patient commute

Image courtesy: Ziqita

Finding and booking an ambulance – whether an air ambulance or a ground ambulance can be a daunting task. At the time, when every breath of your loved ones is precious and each moment you spend with them is crucial, wasting even a second seems like the worst thing in the world. Particularly in India where booking even a ground ambulance is a seemingly difficult task, one even gives up when it comes to finding an air ambulance. Fortunately, this all might change with AMB life which envisions an online platform where ambulance providers all across the globe can not only register but can also get in touch directly with the patients. It allows for a user to search air ambulances and road or ground ambulances in country, state and even to the cities of their choosing. Backed by a robust technology that provides for a user-friendly interface, it aims to change the logistical fabric of ambulances in cities around the globe.
The history of Air ambulance
The pioneers in the field of air ambulances are the European countries like France, Britain and Spain. But these were mostly used for causalities of war. During and after Second World War, its use increased exponentially aided by US push. But in many parts of the globe, it was usually reserved as a war-time savior. In India, it was India Aero medical services that kick started the concept of air ambulance in 1995.
Air ambulance: an untapped service
Air ambulance usage is generally rare and is undertaken only in extreme circumstances. It could be particularly helpful in remote areas if not for the high cost incurred. Unlike ground or road ambulance services which are relatively easy to understand and undertake, air ambulance is another nut all together. This is mainly due to ignorance about the various terminologies used in air ambulance and absence of platform to choose the most cost – effective one. The inconsistencies and in many cases absence of laws or guidelines regarding air ambulance has also contributed to its rare usage. The absence of medically suited aircrafts are also an issue.
At AMB life, one can easily understand the meanings of commonly used terminologies like MEDVAC, CASEVAC, RVSM, EMS, EMT, Bedside-to-Bedside etc.
Cost component in Air Ambulance
The cost component is the single most important factor in case of air ambulance. While ground and road ambulance are generally cheaper, the same isn’t true for air ambulance. Depending on the requirements of the patient, type of aircraft, availability and need of medical staff/s, presence of insurance cover, facilities offered etc., cost could vary immensely.
It is here that AMB life shows its true utility. By providing different service providers to register on its platform, it presents the patient with a one-stop portal where they can’t just search about the air ambulance availability near their locality but can also look at the ratings, reviews and insurance covers. These not just helps them make an informed decision but also makes it a lot easier.
Air ambulance is an exciting prospect of patient commute particularly for remote and far flung areas. The need is to make them more affordable my providing appropriate insurance basket and making it easier to reach out. While AMB life can easily take care of the later, the onus of providing the former rests with the service providers and insurance companies.
Visit www.amblife.com for more.
Note: This article has been written for GnextTechnologies and Amb life.

B2B directory in ambulance services: Saving lives together

Image courtesy: indiantaxiservices.com

The health sector is highly fragmented. We have different components working together in different silos, unaware of need and benefit that they can get by working as one. The ambulance service – both air and ground represent the same stories. There are numerous carriers providing this services but in absence of any binding force they work independently giving benefit to none. The demand from customers is not declining though but absence of platform where they can find all of them together definitely hurts. A B2B directory of such services could be a solution.
Breaking down B2B and B2B directory
B2B is a shorthand for Business to Business and is referred to the mode of business where different companies work together like supplying a raw material where both the supplier as well buyer are companies. It forms a small proportion of total business dealings but still is most crucial for growth of B2C which is what many try to tap into.
B2B directory is nothing but a collection of different business companies working together. One example could be a site named AMB life which lets different ambulance service providers to register on their website. They can register their main service as well as all their ancillaries like hearse van, oxygen systems etc.
Why the need for B2B?
More Profit can be one reason. Easy accessibility could be another. But the rationale behind it is much bigger. It is the belief that there is indeed strength in unity. If the services are scattered they are not just difficult to carve out from the milieu but may also end up being the white elephant. B2B directories bring them together. In case of directories for ambulance services, it goes way beyond just ‘being together’. Some of the benefits it may throw might be unexpected –

• Bigger audience – If information about everything related to every ambulance service carriers and their services offered is provided under one roof, it makes more customers to gravitate towards them.
• More revenue – obviously. More the people flocking to you, better will be the profits. As the cliché goes, more the merrier.
• Better quality of service – these B2B directories usually provide the option of rating and reviewing the companies. While it may be of help to customers in choosing the best, it can also be of immense importance to companies registered there. They can easily find out about what their competitors are offering and make amends accordingly.
• Data and information – data is gold and these directories are treasure trove. And how do you mine them? Data mining and analytics, folks! Since most of the data’s contained here has been shared consensually by customers there’s nothing that’s grey ethics.
• Accessibility – this is the only reason for their creation in the first place. Customers get to choose at the comfort of their bed.

When it comes to ambulance, empathy is paramount and every moment is precious. These B2B directories can be a single point entry for the patients. Many such websites like StanPlus, Goambee and PrimeAmbulance are trying to change the narrative. AMB life, which I mentioned earlier (sorry for bringing it again. I traversed many such sites and directories. This was a tad better and it’s always good to learn from the best), provides customers to search and choose based on country, states and even cities. Yay! You guessed it right. Every private ambulance provider around the globe is there. So, it’s time that businesses come together. If it’s about saving lives, why not do it together?
Note: This article has been written for GnextTechnologies.

Tensile Fabric Structure: Getting the basics right

Image Courtesy: designerawning.in

Tensile fabric structures are a rage these days and why not? Being light, aesthetically sound, cheap and easy to install and maintain, its invention, whoever did it, has been a revelation. But there’s a lot we don’t know about it and then there are myths and misinformation/s. In this article we will try to clear some of these concerns.
The what and why of Tension and Tensile fabrics
To begin with, tension is a force that acts on a body and tries to pull it apart and by this extension tensile fabrics are those fabrics which are being pulled apart. It basically involves supporting a ‘’tarpaulin’’  made of polymers or other possible materials at critical junctures to give it a particular shape which, depending on the direction of curvature, can be either anticlastic or synclastic.
As for why tensile fabrics? It has become pretty clear that since they are durable and stretchable, tensile fabrics are always worth the money you invest. Furthermore their translucency allows for light to pass through them giving a unique aesthetics, particularly during night.
The building blocks
As for the building blocks of these fabrics i.e. the materials that can be used, they vary with location, cost and durability. Generally, the materials used include polymers like –

• Ethylene tetrafluoroethelene – due to its exceptional translucency, self-cleaning ability and abhorrence to pollutants and UV rays.
• Fiber glass coated Teflon – thanks to its high tensile strength, elasticity, resilience to extreme weather conditions and respectable light transmitting property.
• PVC or PVDF coated polyester – easy to handle, they could be used both as acrylic in case coloring is required but its durability and self-cleansing leaves a lot to be desired and as PVDF coating in case self-cleaning is the objective.

Cost dependency and sustainability of tensile fabric structures
Regarding the cost, it’s rather obvious that it will depend on –

• Location as this determines the availability and sourcing.
• Design and span – the structures which have more corners and edges and a shorter span usually drives the cost up. On the contrary a large span with minimum corners is generally economical.

• Weather conditions like wind speed and direction, rainfall intensity and concentration, etc.
• Special characteristics like exceptional self-cleaning ability, translucency, durability, elasticity, strength etc.

As regards to the sustainability of tensile fabric structures, the materials used can be easily recycled to be used in applications where quality can be compromised a bit. As such, depending on the degree of recyclability and reuse, the sustainability of structures, both environmental and economical, can vary immensely.
Busting the myths
There’s a lot of misunderstandings regarding tensile fabrics partly due to the materials used in its making and partly due to ignorance about its advantages. Here we will try to clear the air around some of the most prominent myths regarding tensile fabric structures.

• Since its just ‘tarpaulin’, it will easily catch fire: Unless a flame is directly applied to it, it won’t burn and same is true for every structure.
• It’s so light in weight, the wind might blow it away: The anchorage and tension provides them with exceptional strength. The lightweight is an advantage.
• It will tear apart if stretched a lot: Well, anything will tear apart ‘if stretched a lot’ but compared to others, tensile fabric structures are more tolerant to ‘’pull’’.
• How can a simple stretched plastic last long?: It’s simply not true. The tensile fabric structures are not made from normal plastics but from special polymers designed for durability.

So don’t mind the misinformation, read the advantage and go for tensile fabric structures. They are the way forward.
Note: This article has been written for www.tensilefabricstructure.com and can also be read at http://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1015645/tensile-fabric-structure-getting-the-basics-right

Ushering in new age of mobility – Electric Vehicles in India

Image courtesy: LinkedIn

In winter of 2015, when world leaders met for 21^st time to discuss climate change nobody thought they might reach at any agreements. But they did and the whole world stood in awe and surprise. While the commitments were largely liberal, their implementation was not. Many countries were reluctant to do anything but not us, not India. We made it our ambitious priority to not just compensate for other’s mistakes but be a leader in this field. Among many things that we intended, one was the push for electric vehicles. The vision document paints the picture of complete transfer to electric vehicles by 2020. For this we needed to change. Apart from bus and cars, there was perceptible change in one more field – greater push for e-rickshaw.
What does this entails?
A lot of changes and challenges. Among many other things that it might impact or bring in, there are some areas where we need nothing less than a revolution to sustain this dream. We are still a fossil-addict country with more than 90% of our vehicles running on petrol or diesel. Some of the challenges that we face are –

• Where’s the electricity, honey?

The lifeline of EV is its battery and for it to charge we need electricity, a precious commodity especially in interiors.

• Charging points – Just like petrol pumps for fossil fuel based vehicles, we need battery charging points for EVs
• Infrastructure and ecosystem to supply spare parts
• Finances for R&D

The key to problems
The Mckinsey report on future of mobility in India lists four factors that can act as drivers of EV adoption. These are –

• Government regulations and support

An ecosystem which disincentives fossil based vehicles by putting in place strict carbon emission norms and incentives EVs by supportive policies.

• Technology

Much of the cost of electric vehicle goes into making batteries. Finance and support should be provided to R&D so to reduce battery costs and increase efficiency.

• Infrastructure

Both for providing facilities for AC and DC charging as well supply ecosystem for spare parts.

• Customer Demand

By working on ways to reduce costs of EVs and sensitizing them about climate change.
What Power Electric Vehicle does and how can it be of help?
It is market leader in the manufacture and dealership of e-rickshaw in Uttar Pradesh, largest state in India. Apart from fully made battery-powered rickshaw it also deals with the supply of related accessories and spare parts. With the use of cutting edge technology and high quality raw materials, the quality of products manufactured remain the benchmarks of standards and are duly certified by ICAT (International Center for Automotive Technology).
To help the cause of combating climate change, Power Electric Vehicle invites dealers, distributors and individuals who are in this business to try out our products and be our partners in being the harbinger of clean energy revolution in e-rickshaw business.

Aluminum fabrication made easy

Image source: Intamsolutions

Ever been to the kitchen? If you have, turn your head around. What do you see? The forks, knives, cans etc. What’s common among them? One thing – the metal aluminum. Being one of the lightest and readily available, people for long have used aluminum fabrication for different things. Right from thin foil over sweets to hard cover over car rimes, aluminum fabrication is everywhere. In light of such popularity it should come as no compromise that many companies are engaged in its manufacture and supply. BKF is one of them. But its fabrication process is a hard nut to crack. Fear not! We are going to make that easy for you.
The trivia

• Aluminum is light in weight
• Blends well with most materials
• Good conductor of heat and electricity
• Immune to magnetic fields
• Third most widely available metal in Earth crust

The fabrication process simplified
When it comes to their fabrication, the process is too tedious and complex but quicker as well compared to others. Many physical and chemical procedures work in tandem to fabricate aluminum. The process followed for aluminum fabrication is called as extrusion. A sheet of aluminum has to go through many stages. This involves Sawing, Deburring, Milling, Drilling, Turning, Shearing, Insulation, Plastic forming etc. Generally the last 3 are done depending on specific requirements. While insulation is done in cases where less conductivity is required, plastic forming is simply another term for bending. Deburring is done to remove small chips leftover from extrusion cut. The rest of the terminologies are rather obvious.
Why favor aluminum?
For many reasons. One, it is rather easy to cut and shape aluminum. Two, the metal is 100% recyclable. So little environmental concerns as well. Three, its light-weight has many takers. Four, conductivity to heat can be easily controlled through process called insulation. Five, easy to find. All these characteristics makes it a perfect metal to find wide usage and it does. They are used in manufacture of performance vehicles and their alloys is used in aircrafts as well. All that one needs to do is fabricate accordingly. There are not many who do that with élan.
Where to buy then?
There are few who are genuinely in the business of its manufacture and supply. BKF is NCR based company that is known for its high quality aluminum fabricated products across India. Along with aluminum fabrication, they are also engaged in prefabrication of stainless steel, mild steel etc. With in-house manufacturing process and team of highly skilled professionals and technicians, their motto remains quality assurance. Tensile fabric structures and polycarbonate structures are their other specialties. Visit their website to know about the full range of their products. You can put an instant quote.

Note: The article has been written for GnextTechnology and http://www.tensilefabricstructure.com

What are the requirements to get your ambulance registered in Delhi?

Indian guidelines for registration of ambulance is tedious. The Jargon is nauseating. But they are important. So, how to make sense of them? We will help you there. This article from AMB life is an attempt to understand ambulance registration guidelines for Delhi – in simple language.

 

[caption id="attachment_224" align="aligncenter" width="820"] Representational image. Credit: The spectator/Dredge[/caption]

 

A recent study by India Today showed that three out of five ambulances in India are not in working condition. While this may be due to the scarcity of money, the investigation revealed that most of the service providers either don’t care to follow the norms or are unaware of them. One of the ambulance proprietors, named Vinay (name changed), that AMB life talked to feigned ignorance. When coaxed further to explain, he replied, ‘’Bahut pechida hai, sir. Agar chahein bhi toh unka requirement fulfil nhi kr skte.’’ (It’s too complicated, Sir. Even if we try our best, we won’t be able to fulfill their requirements). This is just one of the many similar replies that we got.

It was not until we had talked to many of them that we understood the root cause of the problem. The pathetic state of ambulance services can be attributed to three reasons. One, authorities don’t trouble themselves in enforcing the regulations. Two, people just don’t know (and neither understand) what the mandatory guidelines are. Three, there is a serious issue of investment. While we can scarcely do anything regarding the enforcement and funding, we can at least make you aware of the guidelines or necessary requirements for registering an ambulance in Delhi.

But before getting to the guidelines, it will be better if we are able to understand the meaning of some common terms. It is not necessary just because it is a good thing to know but also because you will be encountering them every now and then. So let’s begin.

Advanced life support (ALS) ambulance

An ALS or advanced life support is an improvement over the BLS. It is particularly important in those scenarios where an FR or First Responder is not enough to provide the adequate level of medical support or in cases where a patient needs a higher level of medical support, say, of a paramedic. But it will be short-sighted to assume that ALS is the highest level of medical care in case of emergencies. If needed, a patient can be granted critical care medical help as well. Instead of FRs and paramedic, these are manned by an RN (registered nurse) or a specialized doctor. An ALS ambulance or personnel is trained and allowed to administer drugs as well (which can’t be done by a BLS ambulance or staff).

The main job of an ALS personnel and ambulance is to check the heart rate, apply defibrillation when necessary and provide appropriate medication. The procedure involved in most cases is guided by a 2005/2010 AHA ACLS guidelines, commonly known as 4H’s and 4T’s – an acronym for hypoxia, hypovolemia, hyper or hypokalemia, Hypo or hyperthermia, Tension pneumothorax, tamponade, toxic and thromboembolism. It will be worth mentioning that this guideline has been prescribed by the AHA and International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. The Indian govt. guidelines may vary and indeed they do. The procedure too may vary as may be the requirement of must-have drugs and equipment on an ALS ambulance.

Basic life support (BLS) ambulance

A basic life support or BLS is the type of medical support provided to patients in the case of life-threatening emergencies or trauma until they reach the nearest medical support. While the exact meaning of the term may vary from country to country and even among states, the basic idea remains the same. It can be provided either by a trained First responder who can be a passerby or by trained staffs, but lower than a paramedic and an R.N. A BLS personnel is neither permitted nor prepared to administer drugs.

The basic philosophy is to maintain and improve the blood circulation, keep the airway clear and improve breathing. The procedure followed is generally abbreviated as CAB which stands for Circulation, Airway, and Breathing. While circulation can be restored by controlling bleeding or CPR, oral or nasal adjuncts are used to keep the patients’ airways open. To maintain and improve breathing, artificial breathing is provided.

Patient transport ambulance

The Committee of Health and Family Welfare Department of NCT of Delhi describes a patient transport ambulance as -

“A vehicle that is used for making non-emergency calls such as scheduled visits to a physician's office for treatment, routine physical examinations, x-rays or laboratory tests, or is used for transporting patients upon discharge from a hospital or nursing home to a hospital or nursing home or residence, or attending to other non- emergency calls.”

They are not usually equipped with life-support equipment and are manned by personnel with lower qualifications than ALS and BLS ambulance services. Now let us focus on the guidelines.

 

Color – the ambulance can be painted in any color. There’s absolutely no restriction. So, you don’t need to frown when you see an ambulance colored black as long as it follows other guidelines.

Emblems and markings – the guidelines are different for an ALS or BLS ambulance and patient transport ambulance. The guidelines are

• All items under this heading should be reflective quality and contrasting color to the exterior painted surface. If you choose to paint your ambulance black, the markings and emblems should in white and vice-versa. This is mandatory only for ALS and BLS ambulances. There’s no such restriction on the patient transport ambulance


• Star of life symbol – Blue for ALS, Green for BLS, no ‘star of life’ in the patient transport ambulance. Wherever applicable, there should be one star in the front at each end of word ‘ambulance’, one on each side, two in the rear and one on top. They should not be less than 30 cm in height.

[gallery ids="225,226" type="square" columns="2"]

Star of life symbol. Credit: Wikimedia Commons and eBay.

• One ‘AMBULANCE’ in reverse in the front, one on each side and rear. The dimension should be 15x8 cm. This is only valid for ALS and BLS ambulance.


• A patient transport ambulance may not have this emergency signals etched on them. But they can write ‘patient transport ambulance’ and their license number on each side.


• Before selling the ambulance vehicle to the public, all emblems and markings have to be removed.


• While sirens and beacons will be mandatory in ALS and BLS, the same will be installed in patient transport ambulance as per the provisions of Center Motor Vehicles Rules under Motor Vehicles Act.

 

Interior patient space dimensions – for ALS and BLS, its 2700mm x1500mm x1500 mm and in the patient transport ambulance, the interior dimension has to be 1600mm x 940mm x 1000mm. The order of dimension is length x width x height (from floor to ceiling).

Minimum ambulance rescue equipment – Each BLS and ALS ambulance has to mandatorily carry these items –

• Hammer – one four pounds with a 15-inch handle.


• One ax


• Wrecking bar, minimum 24 inches


• Crowbar, minimum 48 inches with pinch point

Essential medical equipment and other items to be placed in an ambulance

Advanced life support ambulance (ALS) – an ALS ambulance is designed to provide a higher degree of medical support than a BLS ambulance. So, the list of items and equipment also vary accordingly. Below is the list of mandatory equipment for ALS

 

[caption id="attachment_229" align="alignnone" width="704"] List of essential items for ALS ambulance. Credit: Govt. of Delhi. If the image is not clear, visit https://imgur.com/63raNIE[/caption]

 

Basic life support ambulance (BLS) – a BLS ambulance is designed to serve as the first point of medical support in case of emergencies. Though it is not equipped to administer drugs or possess any invasive skills, it is important to provide crucial first-aid relief.

[gallery ids="221,222,223" type="square"]

List of essential items for BLS ambulance. Source: GNCT of Delhi. Created by: AMB life. If the image is not clear, visit https://ufile.io/czm0n to see word file or https://imgur.com/XGjGNhY to see image

Patient transport ambulance – unlike ALS and BLS ambulance service, who pertain to emergency situations, patient transport is used for scheduled visits to a physician for treatment, physical examination, laboratory tests etc. Keeping this in mind, the requirement of items is rather frugal. Some of the essential medical pieces of equipment are -

• Resuscitation kit


• First aid box


• Ambulance Bag set Oropharyngeal airways


• Oxygen cylinder and accessories

List of consumable items – while it is not mandatory for a patient transport ambulance, it is must for an ALS and a BLS ambulance, especially for an ALS ambulance.

[caption id="attachment_230" align="aligncenter" width="441"] List of essential consumable items. Source: Govt. of Delhi. If the image is not clear, visit https://imgur.com/c46ldzj[/caption]

List of emergency drugs – apart from prescribing the list of essential equipment and consumable items, the guidelines also mention the names of some drugs which are to be mandatorily kept on every ALS ambulance. As you already know, BLS is not equipped to administer drugs so they need not stick to this list. They can keep it as a precautionary measure if they wish. Though nothing has been said about patient transport ambulances, it will do no harm if they carry these as well.

[caption id="attachment_231" align="aligncenter" width="287"] Source: Govt. of Delhi. If the image is not clear, visit https://imgur.com/Mf02Y6u[/caption]

BLS patient cabin specifications – Realizing the importance of medical support in ‘golden hours’, the guidelines specifically mention some of the specifications of cabins that is to be there in every basic life support ambulance. It is in line with the latest draft by the central government regarding the concept of the First responder. The central guidelines are expected to kick in starting 2018. Back to the list, these specs are –

• Proper ventilation


• Noise-free, comfortable ride


• Adequate power supply


• Adequate patient cabin space


• Complete flooring free of joints


• At least two superior quality fans, among others.


• Storage space, among others.

You can see the specifications in detail below.

[caption id="attachment_232" align="aligncenter" width="258"] Source: Govt. of Delhi. If the image is not clear, visit https://imgur.com/mnDXus6[/caption]

Some other important guidelines

Other than the points mentioned above, the regulations also lay down some guidelines regarding the new applicants and already certified ones. Let us have a look at them as well.

• Guidelines are applicable only to new applicants. Already certified ambulances not need to re-apply.


• The certificate, once granted, will be valid for five years. Within this period, the committee can inspect the ambulances for compliance and can revoke the certificates as well, in case of any negligence.


• Certified ambulances will have to obtain fitness certificate as per the guidelines of Center Motor Vehicles Act and Rules there-under from the department of transport, the government of Delhi.


• The certificate has to be revalidated on expiry to be able to continue the ambulance services.


• The committee has the right to revoke the certification at any time.


• The equipment should be in working condition.

 

Now, that you are aware of the registration guidelines, follow them. It’s the life of a patient which is on a ledger. Your actions can mean the difference between a life and death. Even after following this, if you are finding it difficult to make yourself accessible to your customers, then there’s a way out for you. AMB Life is inviting all private ambulance operators to register their main services like air ambulance, ground ambulance, ICU ambulance, motorcycle ambulance etc. with us. You can also register your ancillary services like hearse van, oxygen systems etc. If you are the one who excels in providing ambulance services for corporate events, film shootings, medical escorts etc., you are more than welcome to register with us.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the recent guidelines issued by Government of Delhi regarding ambulance regsitration and was originally written for AMB Life.

7 websites that are changing the way you book an ambulance

Like many things Indian, searching and booking an ambulance is as difficult as swimming out of a quicksand. But like many things Indian (the innovative ones) there are some good souls who have taken this upon themselves to solve this issue. In this article, we will look at 7 websites that are making it easier to find and hire an ambulance.

Have you been scratching your head and messing up your hair in your quest for finding ambulance directories in India? We have been doing the same as well. Finding a B2B platform when everyone is going berserk over providing direct customer service is nothing sort of a herculean task. But what good is our effort if it can’t help you out? From the depths of the google, we have unearthed some of the best-known websites that list ambulance providers. Here are the best 7 ambulance directory or hiring sites in India. Check it out. (psst: see the disclaimer at the end of this article)

• Murgency.com

It is a cloud platform and mobile application which connects people facing a medical emergency with the closest validated Emergency Room / Ambulance / Doctor / Nurse / Paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Founded in 2014 by Shaffi Mather, MUrgency was incubated out of Stanford ChangeLabs. Since its founding, it has received a lot of funding from various well-known names like Ratan Tata. Initially launched in Punjab, it is soon expected to go national.

Also the founder of Ziqita Healthcare Ltd., Shaffi says, ‘’ MUrgency is the next step in transforming emergency care. Today, you can get a first responder in our launch market in under 10 minutes”.

• STANPLUS Powered ambulances

They provide 24/7 emergency and medical transportation support. With a fleet of 180+ ambulances, they guarantee that they can provide patient support in 15 minutes across Hyderabad. Their ambulances are equipped with advanced life support and Basic life support. They also deal in cardiac and patient transport ambulances.

It is an aggregator which dispatches lifesaving services in Hyderabad. It also allows everyone in the emergency response chain to view live updates and coordinate lifesaving efforts with peace of mind, thanks to its one-share platform. It also recently raised $1.1M from Kstart and others.

• Ambee

 

They have the distinction of being backed by Uber. Like them, it too intends to position itself as the premier ambulance hiring platform. Their philosophy is simple – since it takes a cab 5 minutes to arrive and an ambulance 40 minutes to arrive, we need to change that. Though presently available in select cities, they are thinking of spreading out.

They are similar in design to AMB life. Their mobile and location-based technology helps ambulance owners track and manage their fleet. By virtue of using their technology, these ambulances become part of an online network, easily accessible through multiple ways – phone calls, apps and websites. Their solution enables the nearest, appropriate ambulance serve a critical need.

• Dial4242

Operated by Health Wheels Pvt. Ltd, the Dial4242 app is currently available on Google Play. It allows users to book the nearest available ambulance and track its location in real time, a feature the startup claims sets it apart. Just as with cab-hailing apps, the customer can see the estimated fare before the trip starts and pay via a digital wallet. Dial4242 has four ambulance variants: basic; ICU or cardiac; pediatric, and transfer of dead bodies.

• AMB life

AMB life is a B2B online platform that allows private ambulance service carriers around the globe to register their ambulance and other ancillary services on its platform. People can choose services based on country, state, city or even their own location. Both air ambulance as well ground ambulance can be booked based on their rating and review.

Apart from that it also provides the option to book ambulances for corporate functions, private events, film shootings, and pets. Their USP is simple and interactive GUI which makes it easy for both private ambulance providers to register easily and patients to choose quickly.

• MeduLance or LifeHover

They claim to be India's first, GPS based technology platform designed for fast and reliable first point medical attention. With an increasing emphasis on promoting independent living today, having access to the nearest ambulance to you can provide much-needed peace of mind in a worst-case scenario.

They strive to provide high-quality, clean ambulances at competitive prices within minutes, assisting the everyday superheroes to reach the patients faster with the help of an easy and simple format. They are of the view that, “We believe that ambulances should be able to help you when it matters!”.

• eSahai

eSahai is a flagship product of MyInd MedTech Innovations Pvt. Ltd.” which is a technology based start-up organization created to offer a range of Health Care Services to the Urban and Rural population. eSahai provides an integrated state-of-the-art technology platform for providing Emergency Medical Services, Specialty Diagnostic Services, Data Analytics and Value Added Services to patients and other consumers in the eco-system.

We also found that among all major cities in India, Hyderabad is way ahead as far as ambulance aggregator business is concerned. This might have to do something with its startup funding networks. Most of the names mentioned here either are limited to Hyderabad or are functional around it. Except for AMB life which is engaged in purely B2B aggregation and aims to spread across the globe, most are based on and around big cities.

Are you still searching for ambulances? Try this sites. It might make your task easier.

Disclaimer: The list is not in any priority order. The numbering is inconsequential. Furthermore, the description of each platform has been taken from its website, to maintain the authenticity of their claims. In any instance of plagiarism regarding the description or quote, the copyright belongs to the website in reference.

This is a sponsored article written originaly for AMB Life.

6 patio ideas to beautify your outdoor space (with example pictures)

It won’t be an exaggeration if the patio is termed as an extension of the home. In fact, they can be designed to serve as your second home as well. But how? In this article, we will look at 6 patio ideas that are sure to adorn your outdoor space.

Patio outside a home. Image source: Pinterest (http://bit.ly/Patio24nov1)

Not all of us are blessed with an outdoor space and the ones among us who are, they seldom know how to make that beautiful. Do you find your backyard ugly? Are you thinking of ways to make them useful? A patio may be helpful. Derived from a Spanish word patio, it is used to describe an extension or addition to outdoor living space that can be used for relaxation, dining or just for having a little space outside where you can throw parties or organize social gatherings. They come in different styles and shapes. Many a time they are accompanied by gazebos, tents or canopies. They can be either covered at the tops or may remain open. Are you confusing it with deck or porch? Unlike decks which are mostly made of wood or wood-like materials, Patio can be made from brick, flagstone, pavers, stone etc.

In this post, we will look at 6 patio ideas that are absolute stunners. Given their varieties and utility, they can serve as a valuable addition to your already beautiful, sweet home. Read on.

• Detached Patio

Are you fond of nature? Do you feel like taking a retreat from the noise and chatter of your house to enjoy a moment of solace? Then detached patio is the way. They are most suited for those outdoor spaces that are spacious or large. If there’s an attractive landscape or garden surrounding your house, then a detached patio can be a valuable addition.

Since these are constructed in large outdoor spaces, it’s better to connect them to your house entrance with a garden path or a walkway. They are mostly accompanied by a gazebo, tensile roof, furniture etc. Sometimes, a water feature with cover can also be included with it. After all, you don’t want yourself getting roasted in the sun, do you? In the image below, you can see a freestanding or detached patio with solid roof and a water feature.

Freestanding patio with a solid roof. Credit: Houzz.com (http://bit.ly/Patio24nov2)

• L – Shaped Patio

Do you want to have a patio which is accessible directly from your other rooms as well, along with your entrance? L-shaped patios are designed in such a way so as to provide natural transitions from at least a couple of rooms. They can also serve as extensions of your entrances. Many a time, they are designed in such a way so as to serve as a complementary feature to detached patio. (Blink! They can be designed to look like garden paths). An artist impression of one such patio type has been shown below. It is of course just a representational image.

Representational image: L-shaped patio. Credit: mypatiodesign.com (http://bit.ly/Patio24nov3)

• U – shaped Patio

Though similar in concept as an L-shaped patio, U-shaped patios are designed to serve an additional purpose. Other than serving as a natural extension and transition of your house, they are designed in such a way so as to be accessible from three sides, with your home or your cool swimming pool serving as the fourth side. While gazebos, canopies, and tents are the preferred choices of ‘additions’, many a time these are accompanied by a set of outside furniture.

A well designed U-shaped patio can work wonders for your private events, parties or social gatherings. They are not just useful from the utility point of view but are also exquisitely beautiful. An illustration of its quality can be seen in the image below. It shows a u-shaped patio with a swimming pool serving as its fourth side. You can also see clearly that it is directly accessible from more than one room. In fact, it appears as if the patio is hugging the house.

Though there’s no strict guideline on the choice of material, mainly flagstone and concrete issued. Even while constructing a gazebo over it, it is more appealing to use a wooden one instead of a tensile fabric or metal one.

U-shaped patio. Credit: houzz.com (http://bit.ly/Patio24nov4)

• Wraparound Patio

Have you seen or heard about a wraparound porch? A shallow verandah enclosing two or more sides of a house, it is a common feature in most European houses. But we are not talking about a porch, we are talking about a patio. While a porch is a vertical or horizontal structure, not necessarily connected to the ground, a wraparound patio is a tiled structure made of flagstone, concrete, pavers etc. Unlike the former, the latter is usually suited for a large outdoor space and rarely covered.

They are generally attached at the back of a house to serve as an additional living space. Since they are enclosed on two or more sides, it provides you with plenty of opportunities to carve ornate designs and shapes. The roof of a wraparound patio, if there’s any, can also be fitted with chandeliers to give it a vintage appearance. An image below shows one such patio. It’s impossible to look at them and not gasp at their brilliance.

Wraparound covered patio. Credit: Zillow.com (http://bit.ly/Patio24nov5)

• Multilevel patio

While it’s relatively easy to design a patio for your home which is at the same level as its outdoor space, it is slightly tricky to do so for a home that is perched on a slope or large lot. For such scenarios, generally, a multilevel patio is preferred. In appearance, they are just like other patios with the only difference being that these are constructed in the form of steps (and hence the name) to bring the house on a slope in level with its backyard.

The choice of material and supplements is similar to the ones used in the construction of detached, L-shaped or U-shaped patio. These too, are adorned with gazebos, tents or outside furniture. Generally, a tiled outlay made from pavers is preferred. The multilevel patio also offers you the advantage of a potential view, if there’s one, while not compromising on your outdoor entertainment and relaxation space.

Multilevel Patio with umbrella gazebo. Credit: v2artdecor.com (http://bit.ly/Patio24nov6)

• Entry patio

A patio is not just about adorning a distant outdoor space. Sometimes they can be used as a means to provide a little seclusion in front of your home. Are you thinking of ways to transform your water thirsty front yard into something soberer? Do you wish to have a little privacy to your enjoyment while relaxing in your yard? An entry patio does that and a little more. They can be kept enclosed or open depending on the degree of privacy that you wish to have. They can also be supplemented with paving, fountain or a privacy wall to add aesthetics to a utility.

The design procedure and choice of materials are similar to any other patio. The enclosures, if any, can be made from wood to make it more amenable to ornate carvings.

Entry patio. Credit: cybball.com (http://bit.ly/Patio24nov7)

If designed with care and foresight, a patio can easily help you extend your living space into your backyard and transform your dull outdoor space in an oasis. The right choice of aestheticism and flooring materials is critical in maintaining the harmony and consistency of your new patio with your existing home. If present beside your kitchen, it could easily enlarge your cooking and dining space. Want a space to relax and entertain? Connect your patio to your living room. Want to enjoy the nature in all its glory, away from the usual din of your house? Get yourself a detached patio.

You can also furnish your patio with outdoor furniture and associated stuff to serve as a makeshift office and studio. Nothing matches the exuberance of working under the shades of nature. A patio can easily be made to run along the length and breadth of your house, meander around its curves and open into an outside swimming pool. Depending on how you intend to use it and what’s the expanse of outdoor space, you can choose a small or a large patio.

Elite Traveller's website content

About Us:

Everyone needs a breath of fresh air. A monotonous life is a dull life. But planning an outdoor expedition is as cumbersome as executing it. But is it? Not really if you have got a help like us. Touted to be one of the most affordable and best travel and tour agency in Faridabad, we are well known for providing niche services related to event planning, group holidaying, school excursions, outdoor adventure and corporate trips.

So what does Elite Travellers bring, exactly? A host of options. We bring you a chance to stand atop the snow clad slopes and marvel at the serene sight. We bring to you the experience of smooth flowing streams and lush green meadows. We bring you the garden of delight at the heart of the mountains, the warmth of Thar beneath your soles and azure of Nilgris on the backdrop of dusky sun in the Western Ghats. We bring to you the view of tiny trickling streams cascading into twisting trails.

The list goes on. All this and more at just the fraction of what it might cost you elsewhere. So leave YOUR worries aside and let US arrange your travels. Just drop us a query (Provide an internal link to contact page here) or ping us on our contact number.

A tour through our services… (Provide an internal link to every one of them, individually)

-          Group Holiday Packages

-          Event Planning

-          School and corporate trips

-          Camping and adventure

-          Resorts and hotels

Services

1.      Group Holiday Packages

Are you fond of travelling just like us? Do you enjoy adventures? If you do, you are probably one of those enthusiasts who believe in enjoying the nature’s beauty. But none of us want to holiday alone, do we? After all, what good is a holiday without our near and dear ones? No one understands that betters than us. We have the honor of being one of the best travel and tour agencies in Faridabad.

Our group holiday packages are designed to suit your needs. Whatever be your contingent size, whatever be its composition, we have a plan for each one of you. Are you looking for group holiday packages for your school trip? Or do you need a package that suits your adventurous instincts? We cater to every needs.

We also offer you a choice of dynamic group holiday packages where you can choose only those features that you want. All that you need to do is reach back to us. Just drop us a query or give us a tring.

Customizing an unforgettable experience with Elite Travellers through –

-          Transport and accommodation

-          Local expert guides

-          Offbeat attractions

-          Local cuisines

-          On site activities

-          Local tour and shopping

-          Attractive pricing

2.      Event Planning

They say, event planning is half science and half art. This can’t be truer than it is in cases where you’re planning for a long adventure trip or a short hectic outing. Are you looking for the best travel and tour agencies in Faridabad to help you plan your next trip? Go no further. We are here to help you out.

While most of us desire to be outside, enjoying the nature and basking in its beauty, very few are actually able to realize it, thanks to the lack of proper tour guide and sky-high prices. Not to mention the remote locations of the accommodation, if there’s one. We seek to change that.

With a team of expert professionals and a battery of local guides, we plan your events in such a way so as to get you squeeze the maximum pleasure out of it. It doesn’t matter whether you are a principal planning an educational trip or a manager trying to put together a corporate trip. We serve every kind.

Here’s just a gist of what we offer

-          Planning the mode of commute

-          Affordable accommodation

-          Flexible schedules

-          Round the clock expert assistance

-          Guide on local attractions, foods and tours

3.      School and Corporate trips

All work and no play makes for a dull life. A little ‘release’ leads not just to enhanced level of productivity but also makes for a refreshing change from our day-to-day routine. Are you a principal or a corporate manager searching for an affordable travel and tour agency in Faridabad? If you are, your search stops here. Elite Travellers is one of the best travel and Tour Company in Faridabad providing high end services.

A picture is worth a thousand words, they say and it’s only by seeing that children learn the best. Planned in collaboration with teachers and principals, our travel itineraries are designed to provide them with a peace of mind while helping them achieve their learning objective at the same time.

When it comes to refreshment and outing, it’s not just limited to school children. Even corporate people need it. Elite Travellers travel and tour package for business houses is designed to provide members with a platform amidst the nature where they can come together, smile together and build strong interactive partnerships.

What we offer?

-          Tailored itineraries for enriching experience and achieving desired trip objective

-          Arranging means of transport and accommodation

-          Designing team excursions and team building activities

-          And of course, food. How do you expect to live without it?

4.      Camping and adventure

If you are someone who loves the outdoors, longs for the nature and is smitten by adventure, then outdoor camping and adventure by Elite Travellers is made for you. Designed to get your adrenaline rushing, our tour and travel packages are sure to make you fall in love with the nature, get over your challenges and create lasting memories with your close ones.

Sprinkled with a fair bit of thrill and rush, you get a real opportunity to encounter serene natural beauty, spectacular sunrise, drowsy sunset and a sleep beneath the starry skies. All this and more at just the fraction of what others might charge. Do you need professional assistance as well? No worries, we provide everything.

And yes, don’t worry. You won’t ever be on a trip that you can’t accomplish. We design the schedules with your consensus and will never take you unawares!!

What we offer?

-          Professional guidance during trekking, climbing, etc.

-          Exotic locations

-          Commute and accommodation

-          Adventurous itineraries

-          Affordable camping and adventure packages

-          Best travel and tour experience

5.      Resorts and hotels

No outing or excursion is complete without a stuffed belly and comfy bed - one which makes you feel you are sleeping on clouds. After a long day out in the sun or a hard day at trekking, a place to rest is all that you desire. We make sure that they don’t go unfulfilled. Are you looking for a place to stay which costs less and offers more? Then you need to go no further. Elite Travellers, one of the best tour and travel agency in Faridabad is here to help you out.

With professional experience in tourism and travels, we know exactly what you seek in your hotels and resorts. Whether it be its proximity to landmark spaces or its home-like characteristics, we strive to find you a staying place which suits you best.

With an incentive on customer satisfaction, keeping the prices low without compromising on the facilities remains our primary ambition. Drop us a query or call us to help you find the best hotels and resorts.

This is what we look for in your accommodations

-          Affordable

-          Personalized (swimming pool, golf course etc.)

-          Spacious suites with modern amenities

-          Inclusive of meals

-          Clean and tidy

-          Friendly and helpful staffs

The original content was sent to the website on 31st Jan., 2018. It has been posted here subsequently.  

Any and all part of this document can be used, reproduced, retrieved and transmitted in any form or by any means by the recipient, subject to final settlement of dues and/or payments. No claims of copyright will be put forth by the content creator, thereof.