Many Alaskans are hikers, skiers and climbers, which means accidents often occur in hard-to-reach places. LifeGuard Alaska help about 1,500 people a year. Of course, the air ambulance is not cheap to run. Every helicopter flight, for example, costs about $7,000. LifeGuard Alaska receives funding from Providence Alaska Medical Center, but the public also helps to support it. The people of Alaska feel very lucky to have this service.