Global Rescue has responded to the needs of travelers at home and abroad since 2004. In a typical month, we perform hundreds of operations in dozens of countries. Below are highlights from some of our most recent operations in various locations.  

 

Speed Boat Rescue in Indonesia  

Wayag Island is one of the Indonesian islands within the Raja Ampat district in the province of West Papua. The island is known for its beautiful atolls and amazing underwater life. Unfortunately, a Singapore member needed field rescue from the island after falling from a steep slope and sustaining a severe injury to his right ankle. Global Rescue medical operations personnel were contacted and provided guidance on managing the injury. Regrettably, the member’s symptoms did not subside and a field rescue using a speed boat was initiated due to the remoteness of the location and the need for medical intervention. The member was conveyed to Sorong Port onboard a high-powered speed boat and then transported via ground ambulance to a local hospital. The hospital took x-rays, and an orthopedic physician examined the member who was diagnosed with a distal fracture and partial ankle dislocation. He was fitted with a cast with a recommendation for surgery after the swelling subsided. He elected to undergo surgery after returning home.  

 

A yellow rescue helicopter on a mountain.

 

Lower Body Bleeding, Boils in Nepal  

A Malaysian member needed field rescue due to severe headache, nose bleeds, shortness of breath and fatigue while at Chukhung, a high-altitude village (15,518 feet/4,730 meters) serving trekkers and climbers in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Global Rescue medical operations personnel were contacted and confirmed the member had signs and symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) as well as swollen, bleeding, painful boils on his lower body. Due to the severity of the member’s condition, a helicopter rescue was initiated to transport him to a hospital in Lukla. The member was evaluated at the hospital and diagnosed with AMS and an anal abscess. He was treated and released with antibiotics and pain medication.  

 

Medevac to a Higher-Level Hospital  

A member from Uruguay needed a medical evacuation from Dingboche, Nepal to a medical facility capable of a higher level of care. Global Rescue medical operations personnel were notified that a member at a hotel near Mount Everest Base Camp started experiencing headache, nausea, fatigue, nasal congestion, cough, fever, difficulty of breathing and an elevated heart rate. The member’s medical history included hypothyroidism, a condition that can increase metabolism with symptoms that include rapid or irregular heartbeat. During an initial examination at a local health clinic, medical staff diagnosed the member with a respiratory infection and HAPE. Global Rescue medical operations doctors advised that the member’s condition warranted descent to a lower elevation and admission to a medical center capable of a high level of care and a recommendation for high flow oxygen. Global Rescue personnel initiated an airborne medical transport of the member to a hospital in Lukla where she arrived safely and was diagnosed with post-AMS status. After receiving treatment, the member’s condition improved sufficiently. She was discharged to her hotel where she continued her recovery before her return flight home. 

 

[Related reading: Expertise in Action: Global Rescue’s Role in the Aconcagua Climbing Season] 

 

 

A snowboarder performs a trick under a bright sun.

 

Snowboarder Rescued in Austria  

A U.S. member needed field rescue and medical evacuation following a snowboarding accident in Montafon, Austria. The teenage Global Rescue member – who is also part of the US SBX team, a type of snowboarding where competitors race side-by-side on a specially designed course – crashed and sustained a fractured jaw with a lacerated tongue. He was taken to a local medical facility where he was treated. The treating physician, however, recommended that the jaw fracture be surgically repaired at the member’s home hospital as soon as possible. Global Rescue medical personnel reviewed the medical incident records and concurred with the doctor’s assessment. Global Rescue operations team provided immediate flights and ground transportation for the member who safely arrived without incident at his home in Boston where he was met by family and quickly scheduled an appointment for surgery to repair his fractured jaw.  

 

Son Needs Help for His Father Trekking in Namache Bazaar  

A Malaysian member trekking in Nepal contacted Global Rescue seeking help for his father who became ill in Namche Bazaar (11,286 feet/3,440 meters), a town in northeastern Nepal. The member was initially examined at a local clinic where he was diagnosed with HAPE. Global Rescue medical operations staff confirmed the assessment and recommended an airborne medical evacuation to a hospital at lower altitude for medical management. The member was safely transported to a hospital in Lukla where he was evaluated and diagnosed with post-AMS and later released to continue his recovery and return home.  

 

[Related reading: 10 Reasons Why You Need Global Rescue] 

 

Bad Slip on Ice in Austria  

A U.S. member on a ski vacation needed airborne medical evacuation after slipping on an ice patch, hitting his head and losing consciousness during a trip to the mountains of Ischgl, Austria. After the member came to, he complained of soreness and headache. He was evaluated by local medics at the ski resort. Global Rescue was contacted, and a helicopter was arranged to take him to a hospital Tirol. Following a medical examination that included a CT scan of the member’s head and x-rays of his shoulders, both showed unremarkable results. The member was admitted overnight for further evaluation and was discharged from the hospital the next day.