Mission Briefs: Global Rescue In Action

Travelers are shrugging off inflation and getting back to domestic and international travel, according to the results of the Global Rescue Travel Survey. Despite inflation and the rising cost to travel, the majority of travelers (70%) have not canceled or postponed an international or domestic trip.   

Travel increased significantly through November and December compared to the year before. Neither inflation nor airline flight disruptions are curbing travelers from returning to adventure, business and leisure travel.  

“In the face of airline disruptions and the rising cost of travel, travelers are sticking with plans to travel,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce.   

Global Rescue continues to answer the service needs of travelers – here and abroad – without any disruptions. In a typical one-month period, Global Rescue completes hundreds of operations in dozens of countries and principalities. Below are highlights from some of our most recent operations in various locations.   

Long Line Rescue in Nepal  

Needing a medical evacuation from challenging areas on Ama Dablam, like the Yellow and White Towers, often requires a long line rescue, a rapid rescue response used in remote, high-angle terrain. That was the situation for a Salvadoran mountaineer who was at Ama Dablam suffering from altitude sickness and internal bleeding. She was losing consciousness and was unable to walk. Sherpas from her climbing group contacted Global Rescue and a long line helicopter medical evacuation was ordered. The member was successfully airlifted to a hospital where she was examined and diagnosed with abnormal uterine bleeding, a cervical cyst, and hypothyroidism.  The member was treated and Global Rescue medical operations continued to provide medical advisory services during her recovery.    

Twisted Ankle in The United Kingdom  

An Australian member traveling in London sustained an ankle injury. She was admitted to a local hospital and diagnosed with an ankle fracture and dislocation that would require surgery. Unfortunately, leg swelling forced the surgery to be postponed. The member elected to have her surgery. The treating team and Global Rescue’s physician concurred and ordered non-weight bearing on the leg, strict elevation and measures to diminish the risk of deep vein thrombosis during the journey home. Global Rescue membership services arranged for and paid for needed seating to meet the medical requirements, as well as coordinating ground transport, wheelchair assistance and porter service. The member arrived home safely to continue her medical care.  

HAPE on Aconcagua 

Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in South America and more than 3,500 people try to climb it each year. A U.S. member attempted to scale the 22,837 ft/6,706 m tall mountain but after suffering symptoms of HAPE he needed an airborne field rescue off the mountain. The member was successfully evacuated to a hospital where he was examined and diagnosed with possible fluid in the lungs. The member was not admitted to the hospital and, instead, was able to return to his home to follow up with his primary care physician.  

Bowel Obstruction in Argentina  

A bowel obstruction is uncomfortable and could be a sign of something more serious. So, when a U.S. member traveling in Argentina contacted Global Rescue complaining of a possible blocked bowel, he was advised to get urgent care if symptoms didn’t self-correct by the next day. Unfortunately, his condition worsened and he was evacuated to a hospital. Following an examination, his treating physician determined the member had a perforated small intestine and underwent emergency laparoscopic surgery to correct the issue. The member was discharged after a few days and returned home safely to continue his recovery.  

Hiking Accident in The Rockies  

An Australian member was hiking in Colorado when he suffered a broken thigh bone. After his hiking partner contacted Global Rescue, he was airlifted to safety and admitted into a trauma unit at a nearby hospital. Following an examination by the treating physician, the member underwent surgery to repair the bone. To continue his post-op recovery, the member needed to keep his healing leg fully extended and would require lie-flat seating for his return flight to his home country as well as wheelchair assistance through the flight itinerary. The member arrived home safely where he continues his recovery.  

Snow Blind in Nepal  

During a climbing trip on Mera Peak, Nepal a Singapore member became ill at High Camp. He reported body weakness, severe headache, difficulty breathing, an elevated heart rate and snow blindness. Global Rescue was contacted and a helicopter evacuation was initiated. The member was safely evacuated to a hospital in Kathmandu where he was evaluated and diagnosed with temporary snow blindness associated with High Altitude Cerebral Edema, which would resolve itself following his descent from the mountain. 

Bad Fall Off a Rock in The USA  

While traveling in Utah, an Australian member fell off a rock, suffering several injuries, including his legs. He was admitted to a trauma center in Salt Lake City and, following treatment for his injuries, he was transferred to a rehabilitation unit for a couple of weeks of physical therapy. He was deemed fit-to-fly provided he traveled on a lay-flat seat with a medical escort. Global Rescue medical operations concurred and arranged and paid for his air travel, lodging, ground transportation and wheelchair assistance through to his home in Sydney.