NEWS
March 20, 2023
Is It Safe to Travel to Mexico?
February 28, 2023
Top Traveller Secrets and Mistakes Revealed
February 16, 2023
U.S. Travel Insurance to Take off as Year-End Cancellations Spook Flyers
February 3, 2023
Here’s Everything You Need To Know Before Buying Travel Insurance In 2023
February 2, 2023
5 signs you have the wrong travel insurance
January 10, 2023
Are You Rescue Ready
January 8, 2023
Do I need travel insurance for my 2023 vacation?
December 24, 2022
You’re trapped in a blizzard. Do you know what to do next to survive?
December 19, 2022
Forbes “Here Are The Best Travel Memberships Of 2023”
December 5, 2022
Pro Advice for Buying Travel Insurance in 2023
PRESS RELEASE
March 14, 2023
Global Rescue Deploys Medical and Rescue Experts to Nepal
Global Rescue Deploys Medical and Rescue Experts to Nepal
Lebanon, N.H. – March 14, 2023 – Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services, will deploy a team of specialists to Nepal to perform rescue operations during the Mount Everest 2023 spring climbing season where a record number of rescues are expected.
“During the two-month 2023 Mount Everest spring climbing season, there will usually be several rescue operations performed each day, keeping the deployment team busy from before dawn until nearly midnight. The busiest time is the two-week Mount Everest summit window when the medical and rescue operations team performs up to 25 rescues a day,” said Dan Stretch, a Global Rescue operations manager based in Nepal during the Mount Everest climbing season who has performed more than 500 evacuations and crisis response operations in the Himalayas.
Recovering climbers and trekkers is much more than a high-altitude mountain chopper rescue. Performing a rescue includes helicopter and ambulance transports, hospital admissions and looking after individuals admitted to a hospital for care. “The deployment team members are located in multiple areas to support individuals throughout their rescue, transport, recovery and safe return home,” Stretch said.
Ignoring symptoms of altitude sickness during climbs is one of the major avoidable blunders mountaineers and trekkers make during this time, according to Stretch. “Ascending higher with symptoms of altitude sickness in the hopes of getting better is unwise. Generally, you won’t get better. Everyone needs to heed the warning signs. It can mean the difference between a successful summit and cutting your expedition in half and potentially ending up hospitalized,” he said.
Avalanches are a dangerous reality in the snowy high mountains, and so is the brutal weather. Preparing for them is a key element of the deployment team’s activity. “Avalanche risk is a factor when we determine the safety of ground rescue. We monitor the weather and receive daily reports from our team. There are times when adverse weather can prevent or delay helicopter rescue. At these times we rely on ground rescue or have members shelter in place until the weather clears,” he said.
Last year, there were a record-breaking number of climbing permits issued, and Global Rescue conducted a record-breaking number of rescue operations. The 2023 spring climbing season will set new records.
“There will be more people in the region adventuring, partly from the COVID backlog but also due to increased demand to go trekking and climbing,” said legendary mountaineer and a member of the Global Rescue Mountain Advisory Council Ed Viesturs.
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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information. About Global Rescue Global Rescue is the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions, during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.March 13, 2023
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Emergency Supporter Global Rescue Congratulates Mikaela Shiffrin – The Winningest Skier of All Time
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Emergency Supporter Global Rescue Congratulates Mikaela Shiffrin – The Winningest Skier of All Time
LEBANON, N.H. (March 11, 2023) – U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete Mikaela Shiffrin secured her 87th World Cup in Sweden today becoming the winningest alpine skier in history. Shiffrin’s win broke the tie of 86 wins set by Ingemar Stenmark in 1989.
“Congratulations to the Greatest Of All Time, Mikaela Shiffrin. Her history of hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, talent and love of skiing is an example for all of us. She is an exceptionally gifted, focused and indomitable athlete in a highly competitive global sport. Winning her 87th World Cup race and surpassing all other skiers is an astonishing achievement,” said Dan Richards, the CEO of Global Rescue, which has provided travel risk management and crisis support since 2006 for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard teams.
Shiffrin's win elevates her past Stenmark’s record of 86 World Cup wins.
“It is truly magnificent to be able to watch Mikaela Shiffrin write her name into history,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President & CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “She is the definition of a champion, both inside and out, and the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team couldn’t be happier to celebrate this massive achievement with her. We can’t wait to watch Mikaela win even more in the future!”
Shiffrin credited her team, family and friends for her success and for helping her remain strong, focused, and positive and having the right goals. “It’s been incredible to be part of that. I’m just really thankful.”
She added that she still has a strong desire to compete. “It’s not over yet, which is even more ridiculous! I still had the same feeling at the start of this run that I have every race—I shouldn’t feel pressure, but somehow I feel something in my heartbeat. That’s the anticipation we want to feel as ski racers and I have it—it’s stronger than ever. I’m just getting started.”.
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For more information contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or +1 (202) 560.1195. About Global Rescue Global Rescue is the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions, during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.March 7, 2023
International Travelers Are “At Risk”
International Travelers Are “At Risk”
Lebanon, N.H. – March 6, 2023 – One-out-of-four international travelers needs hospitalization or medical attention during travel but nearly half of them do not obtain a pre-travel health screening, and fewer do any research about the quality of medical care at their destination beforehand, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2023 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.
According to the Merck Manuals, when it comes to foreign travel, about 1 in 30 people traveling abroad require emergency care. That percentage is higher among the world’s most experienced travelers. According to the survey, one out of four (24%) revealed that they needed hospitalization or medical attention during travel.
Unfortunately, only about a third (38%) of surveyed travelers researched the quality of medical care at their destination before traveling abroad. The balance (62%) did not do any research in advance.
“In today's travel landscape, you may not want to travel to any destination where the level of medical care isn't up to your standards unless you have medical evacuation services. It puts you, your health and your trip at risk,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue.
“Hospital layouts differ. The medication might not look the same. Some hospitals use IVs with glass bottles instead of plastic bags. Triage may be done differently than it is in the United States,” said Jeff Weinstein, medical operations associate manager at Global Rescue.
“Travelers should obtain destination reports covering everything from travel health and personal security advice to currency and common scams before taking a trip, especially to a foreign country,” Richards added.
More than half (54%) of the world’s most experienced travelers surveyed by Global Rescue said they obtain a pre-travel health consultation with a physician to discuss their itinerary, pre-existing conditions, a medications list and any health concerns they may have to decrease medical risks during travel.
That's nearly two times better than the average, according to Mass General Brigham that reported 30 million travelers visited limited-resource countries overseas, but only 25 to 30% sought medical advice before they went.
“Certain health conditions and medications can increase your health risks during travel and these risks will vary by destination, activities and mode of travel,” Weinstein said.
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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information. About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 2,000 of its current and former members between January 30 and February 4, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel. About Global Rescue Global Rescue is the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions, during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.February 26, 2023
Expert Traveler Secrets and Mistakes Revealed
Expert Traveler Secrets and Mistakes Revealed
The world's most experienced travelers expose how to manage inflation, potential airline disruptions and a very busy forecast for global tourism in 2023
Lebanon, N.H. – February 27, 2023 – Global tourism is expected to rise by 30% in 2023, according to reports and the world’s most experienced travelers have revealed their secrets, and mistakes, on how to manage the upcoming busy travel year, crowded destinations, higher costs and potential travel disruptions.
The majority of travelers (41%) are planning trips further in advance to lock in reservations and prices, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2023 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. Another 18% said they plan to travel during off-peak seasons. Thirteen percent said they will seek undiscovered destinations or locales that are off-the-beaten path, 11% said they would avoid traveling on weekends and holidays to avoid crowds, and nearly 5% revealed they would skip international travel and take trips domestically only. About 1-in-10 said they would not do anything differently.
The predicted rise in travel coincides with higher travel-related costs. Nearly half of the surveyed travelers (45%) are planning to absorb the higher travel costs without skimping. The other half will look for less expensive destinations (13%), reserve less costly lodging (8%), shorten trips (6%), find destinations that have an advantageous currency exchange with their home country currency (5%), do less shopping (5%), dine out less (4%) and do more bleisure travel combining work-related travel with leisure trips (3%).
Recurring news about airline staff shortages, disrupted flights, and jumps in cancellations are forcing travelers to protect their trips. More Americans are cautious after a spike in flight cancellations at the end of 2022, according to a Reuters report.
“As travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, more travelers than ever believe emergency rescue and evacuation services are essential, whether it’s due to COVID, a natural disaster, civil unrest or simply to help assist with more complicated travel logistics. Travel protection for emergency medical services and evacuation is no longer optional; it’s obligatory,” 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.
Scheduling nonstop flights (35%) whenever possible is the leading way survey respondents will manage potential flight disruptions and staff shortages followed by purchasing travel protection (30%) for delayed or canceled flights, lost luggage, and trip cancellation, according to the Global Rescue survey. Eleven percent of travelers said they will avoid checking luggage and opt for carry-on baggage and 7% said they would travel during off-peak days and times.
As travelers plan trips for 2023, respondents revealed a shift in the types of travel they want compared to responses from spring 2022. The biggest change is a 40% dip in respondents who are planning to travel to visit family and friends. Another change is the 21% decline in surveyed travelers who are preparing for outdoor adventure trips.
Despite the shift, outdoor adventure travel led all types of international travel planning followed by a bucket list trip (26%), a culture exploration trip (24%), visiting friends and family, a dream trip (15%) and a wellness trip (5%). A fifth of respondents reported the international trips planned for 2023 were work-related or bleisure.
The survey revealed 7-out-of-10 of the world’s most experienced travelers are members of a Trusted Traveler Program, like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, compared to only 22% of American flyers, according to a survey reported in Yahoo! Finance.
As travel returns following the easing of pandemic restrictions, many travelers are readjusting to travel. According to the Global Rescue survey, even the most well-traveled individuals make mistakes following a travel layoff. Survey respondents admitted that over-packing (28%) was the biggest travel mistake since returning to travel, distantly followed by overly ambitious travel itineraries (9%).
Travel mistakes like forgetting an international plug adapter, failing to change your phone data plan, drinking unsafe water or forgetting to notify your bank you would be out of the country each accounted for 4% or fewer responses. Letting your passport or Trusted Traveler Program membership expire, tipping inappropriately, forgetting your prescription medicine, or medical security protection each accounted for fewer than 2% of responses.
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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information. About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 2,000 of its current and former members between January 30 and February 4, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel. About Global Rescue Global Rescue is the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions, during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.Media Contact
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