Categories:
Mission BriefsResourcesNovember 3, 2025
A U.S. member climbing Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America, was suffering from symptoms consistent with HAPE (high-altitude pulmonary edema). He was examined and treated with medications provided by physicians deployed to the mountain. Unfortunately, the member’s condition deteriorated overnight, and his oxygen saturation dropped to 59%, more than 30 percentage points below normal. Global Rescue medical operations was contacted. Due to the member’s worsening condition, Global Rescue operations personnel initiated a helicopter field rescue with immediate ground transport by ambulance to a hospital for evaluation.
Categories:
Mission BriefsResourcesNovember 3, 2025
A U.S. member needed airborne medical evacuation after a recreational run in Colombia led to a badly sprained ankle. He called Global Rescue medical operations explaining that two days after spraining his ankle, his condition had worsened and the pain as excruciating, rating it at 10/10, and expressed his inability to move. A local clinic examined him and diagnosed him with a fractured heel. They recommended immediate surgery. Global Rescue physicians reviewed the information and recommended an immediate medical evacuation in business class to accommodate leg elevation and to reduce swelling. The member was successfully evacuated and arrived safely at his home in San Francisco to continue his treatment and recovery.
Categories:
Mission BriefsResourcesNovember 3, 2025
A U.S. member needed medical evacuation after a rough landing while paragliding in Colombia, injuring her ankle. Global Rescue medical operations was contacted and confirmed that she suffered a fracture of the left ankle (tibial malleolus) requiring surgery. Unfortunately, the medical treatment team in Colombia was unable to perform the surgery. Global Rescue medical personnel recommended an expedited airborne return to the member’s home of record via business class seating with ground transportation before orthopedic follow-up. She departed Colombia and safely arrived at her home in Washington, U.S., where she continues her recovery.
Categories:
Mission BriefsResourcesNovember 3, 2025
A Japanese member needed field rescue from Aconcagua after experiencing HAPE-like symptoms including shortness of breath, oxygen desaturation and bibasal crackles – the bubbling or crackling sound originating from the base of the lung. Global Rescue Operations was notified and reviewed the on-mountain medical evaluation. A helicopter field rescue was recommended and initiated to transport the member off the mountain. Ambulance transportation was also arranged to accommodate the need for oxygen support and close monitoring before successful arrival at a hospital in Mendoza, Argentina. The member was examined and diagnosed with pulmonary edema and admitted for treatment. He was later discharged and decided to remain in Argentina until his scheduled flight home.
Categories:
Mission BriefsResourcesNovember 3, 2025
A German member needed field rescue and medical evacuation after suffering snow blindness and severe frostbite on most of his fingers during an expedition on Aconcagua. We successfully evacuated him to a hospital in Mendoza capable of treating frostbite. He was admitted and treated for several days. Global Rescue medical operations personnel conducted follow-ups with him and, following a series of diagnostic tests, he decided to return to his home in Germany for further care. Due to the significance of his frostbite injury, and likely amputation, Global Rescue provided medical evacuation for him and his accompanying parent as a non-medical escort. The member confirmed that he would proceed to a hand specialist in Hamburg when he arrived in Germany and that the facility was aware of his injury. He arrived safely in Germany with plans to have a follow-up evaluation for further care and treatment.
Categories:
Mission BriefsResourcesNovember 3, 2025
A U.S. member needed field rescue after experiencing shortness of breath and vomiting blood while in Karanga Camp, Tanzania, for a summit attempt on Kilimanjaro. Global Rescue medical operations spoke with him and the expedition guide, and confirmed the member’s cough produced blood-tinged phlegm, and that his beathing difficulty had started earlier in the day. Due to the severity of his condition, Global Rescue medical operations personnel initiated a helicopter field rescue. The member was successfully evacuated and evaluated at a local hospital in Arusha where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and prescribed antibiotics. He was scheduled to return home in the U.S. to continue his recovery.
Categories:
Mission BriefsResourcesNovember 3, 2025
During an attempt to summit Aconcagua, a U.S. member began suffering from weakness, labored breathing and oxygen desaturation. Expedition leaders contacted Global Rescue and, following an evaluation by medical personnel, the member was placed on a supplemental oxygen and given medication to treat his condition. His symptoms persisted despite treatment. Global Rescue arranged for an airborne medical transport off the mountain due to the ongoing severity of the member’s condition. He was successfully transported to a hospital where medical professionals evaluated and diagnosed him with HAPE. He was discharged later the same day following medical treatment.
Categories:
Mission BriefsResourcesNovember 3, 2025
A U.S. member trekking on Aconcagua was experiencing signs and symptoms of AMS, possible food poisoning and ataxia. Global Rescue medical operations personnel and physicians with Extreme Medicine agreed the member’s condition merited an immediate transport off the mountain and arranged for a helicopter evacuation. She was safely transported by air and ground to a hospital in Mendoza where she was treated with paracetamol and confirmed with Global Rescue operations that her condition was improving. She planned to continue her recovery at her hotel until her return flight home.
Categories:
Mission BriefsResourcesNovember 3, 2025
A member’s spouse contacted Global Rescue and reported that her husband had been exhibiting signs of HAPE and vomiting blood for several days while in Kosovo Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro. Global Rescue medical operations personnel confirmed his condition was worsening following several episodes of hematemesis and initiated an airborne evacuation. He was successfully transported to a medical center for evaluation where he was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal bleed and severe high-altitude sickness. The member was admitted overnight for observation and treatment. Global Rescue operations continued to monitor and follow-up during his recovery. He was later discharged from the hospital and planned to continue with his planned return trip home where he will continue his recovery.
Categories:
Mission BriefsResourcesNovember 3, 2025
A 78-year-old member encountered distressing symptoms while traveling in Tunisia. He contacted Global Rescue and reported severe forgetfulness, difficulty texting, confusion in distinguishing right from left, and a noticeable impairment in his right leg. In response to this alarming situation, Global Rescue medical operations recommended an in-person evaluation at a hospital in Tunisia. The member underwent a comprehensive assessment, including an MRI scan and consultation with a neurologist and case review with Global Rescue. The results of the evaluation revealed the presence of a brain tumor. The treating physicians recommended immediate treatment and surgical intervention to address the member’s critical condition. The medical team, including the member’s primary care physician in the U.S., concurred an immediate transport to the member’s home hospital of choice in the U.S. with his spouse acting as a non-medical escort was the best course. Global Rescue provided business class seats for the return flight, along with wheelchair and luggage assistant throughout the journey. The member arrived successfully in Seattle and was quickly admitted to his urgent care hospital of choice for further evaluation and medical interventions.
Categories:
Mission BriefsResourcesNovember 3, 2025
Ama Dablam is one of the toughest mountains for high-altitude climbers. It’s also one of the toughest for rescue operations. The high winds, rapidly changing weather conditions and troublesome terrain prevent some helicopter rescues from landing and, instead, requiring a long-line rescue – a rapid rescue response used in remote, high-angle terrain. When a member was on his descent after summitting Ama Dablam he was struggling to breathe, had difficulty with his motor functions, and could barely speak, according to a member of the expedition team who contacted Global Rescue. The medical operations team evaluated the member who was showing signs of altitude mountain sickness in addition to losing his ability to work with safety equipment. Global Rescue medical operations authorized an immediate airborne evacuation which would require a long-line rescue from Ama Dablam Camp 3 to a hospital in Kathmandu. The member was safely transported to the hospital where he was admitted overnight, treated with IV fluids, bronchodilators and antihistamine. He was discharged with a diagnosis of HACE, HAPE, dehydration, and upper respiratory tract infection, and prescribed medications.

