Okavango Air Rescue
Swiss-style air rescue service is a vital asset
O
Inspiration for OAR
kavango Air Rescue (OAR) is a private company providing roundthe-clock emergency evacuation
Okavango Air Rescue was inspired by the Swiss Air Rescue
and medical assistance services by
Service, REGA, which pioneered the concept of the patronage
helicopter from Maun International
system. This system generates a steady flow of income, thus
Airport.
allowing the rescue service to remain airborne.
In an emergency, the patient receives
Under the OAR system of patronage, each annual contribution
direct on-the-spot assistance from an
entitles a patron, travelling within OAR’s range of operation,
airborne medical team before being flown
to one free, medically necessitated air rescue per year. The
to an appropriate location for further
The OAR helicopter is a fully customised,
contribution is not an insurance premium but a payment that
treatment. OAR has its own emergency
medically fitted Bell Jet Ranger 206 III with
helps towards keeping the helicopter airborne.
call centre number (995) in Botswana
a long-range fuel tank. It is litter equipped
or +267 686 15 06 for roaming and
and can therefore take a stretcher.
Donations can also be made to enable OAR to rescue people who cannot afford to be patrons.
satellite phones. OAR has been granted special permission by the Civil Aviation
Since the beginning of 2014 OAR is proud
Authority to fly at night in the event of a
to have newly established fully Botswana
To keep the service airborne, why not become a patron of
life-threatening situation according to the
accredited First Aid Training Courses from
Okavango Air Rescue today.
pilot’s discretion.
level one up to level three.
Complementary service OAR is funded largely by the annual subscriptions of its patrons and provides a complementary service to the existing road and air ambulance services in Botswana. It operates in northern Botswana and the Central Kalahari, dealing with incidents in remote or inaccessible locations – or cases where speed is of the essence.
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