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AMS on K2

A member from Texas developed severe headache, diarrhea, weakness, cough, altered mental status, and low oxygen saturation while trekking to Concordia Base Camp on Mount K2, Pakistan. The member’s expedition team contacted Global Rescue medical…

A member from Texas developed severe headache, diarrhea, weakness, cough, altered mental status, and low oxygen saturation while trekking to Concordia Base Camp on Mount K2, Pakistan. The member’s expedition team contacted Global Rescue medical operations who recommended immediate evacuation by the fastest means after reviewing the case and the Concordia Base Camp nurse assessment. An airborne emergency medical field rescue was initiated, and the member was transported to a hospital in Skardu where he was examined, diagnosed and treated for severe altitude mountain sickness (AMS). The attending physician discharged the member following treatment and continued his recovery at his hotel in Skardu.

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Leopard Attack in Botswana

A U.S. member was in a remote camp in Botswana when he suffered a leopard bite to his calf. He received multiple penetration wounds that were further complicated by the member’s history of a blood…

A U.S. member was in a remote camp in Botswana when he suffered a leopard bite to his calf. He received multiple penetration wounds that were further complicated by the member’s history of a blood clotting disorder. He was taken to a nearby medical clinic that could perform basic wound care. Global Rescue medical operations staff initiated and completed a successful air ambulance medical evacuation flight transporting the member from Botswana to a Johannesburg, South Africa, hospital capable of a higher level of diagnostics and medical care. The member was treated and released.

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Intestinal Bleed on Baltoro Glacier in Pakistan

A U.S. member climbing the Baltoro Glacier in Pakistan became severely ill over two days, suffering persistent diarrhea, progressive worsening of abdominal pain and labored breathing. The member tried antibiotics and rehydration salts for his…

A U.S. member climbing the Baltoro Glacier in Pakistan became severely ill over two days, suffering persistent diarrhea, progressive worsening of abdominal pain and labored breathing. The member tried antibiotics and rehydration salts for his condition, but the symptoms continued. A trained paramedic who was part of the climbing group reported the member’s condition, which included an abdominal protrusion, redness on the skin and unusually dark stools. The climbing leaders contacted Global Rescue medical operation personnel who determined that the symptoms suggested upper GI bleeding, a possible hernia or cellulitis, each of which required immediate evaluation. A helicopter field rescue was activated to recover and evacuate the member from the Baltoro Glacier to a medical center in Skardu where he was evaluated, diagnosed and treated for Melena due to damage to the upper GI lining. He received IV medications, antibiotics and gastric acid control medications. Treating physicians discharged him several hours later with a fit-to-fly assessment and a recommendation to get further evaluation and treatment upon his return home.

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Bush Plane Rescue From a Remote Arctic Lab

A U.S. member suffered multiple burns at a research station in the Canadian Arctic. A crew member contacted Global Rescue requesting assistance and possible transport of the member to a nearby medical facility. Global Rescue…

A U.S. member suffered multiple burns at a research station in the Canadian Arctic. A crew member contacted Global Rescue requesting assistance and possible transport of the member to a nearby medical facility. Global Rescue medical operations staff coordinated a field rescue from the remote lab site utilizing a bush plane to transport the member to a nearby medical facility. Following a successful rescue and transport, the member was evaluated and diagnosed with multiple first and second-degree burns to his hands, head, arms and chest while working at the Canadian Arctic Research Station. He was treated for his injuries and released to return to his home in Seattle, Washington, for further burn care.

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Motorcycle Spill in Japan

A U.S. member wiped out on a curve while riding his motorcycle in Bisuka, Hokkaido, Japan. The member was taken to an emergency facility in Nayoro City before another transport to a hospital in Asahikawa…

A U.S. member wiped out on a curve while riding his motorcycle in Bisuka, Hokkaido, Japan. The member was taken to an emergency facility in Nayoro City before another transport to a hospital in Asahikawa where a higher level of care was available. The member received surgery and was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The member suffered multiple fractures, renal injury, and traumatic brain bleed (subarachnoid hemorrhage). Treating physicians at the Asahikawa hospital recommended that the member be transported to a hospital in Taiwan for definitive care. Global Rescue medical operations physicians concurred following the case review and recommended immediate care upon arrival in Taiwan. The member was successfully transported to Taiwan and admitted to the hospital where treatment and recovery continue.

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Trapped by Canadian Wildfires

A wildfire trapped a group in Canada. They contacted Global Rescue and reported that nearly a dozen people were surrounded by a raging forest fire and were unable to leave while at an airfield exclusively…

A wildfire trapped a group in Canada. They contacted Global Rescue and reported that nearly a dozen people were surrounded by a raging forest fire and were unable to leave while at an airfield exclusively serving a hydroelectric generating station in northern Quebec, Canada. Local emergency response was notified but it was uncertain if they would be able to reach the people cut off by the flames. The group was advised to stay inside but to move to the tarmac if the fire spread to the buildings. Global Rescue coordinated with multiple regional emergency response resources who were able to reach the group and evacuate them to safety.

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Double Rescue in Pakistan

A pair of South African members needed emergency field rescue from Paiju, Pakistan. One member experienced chest pain while trekking Baltoro Glacier. The other injured his foot and hand while coming to the aid of…

A pair of South African members needed emergency field rescue from Paiju, Pakistan. One member experienced chest pain while trekking Baltoro Glacier. The other injured his foot and hand while coming to the aid of his companion. The member suffering from severe chest tightness and pain radiating through to his left arm tempered some of his discomfort by taking aspirin and supplemental oxygen. Meanwhile, the member with the injured ankle reported his foot had turned purple, was unable to bear weight and was experiencing severe pain and immobility in his thumb. Due to the conditions of both members, Global Rescue medical operations personnel activated an emergency airborne field rescue for the transport of both to a Skardu hospital. One member was admitted to the ICU for heart attack treatment (myocardial infarction). He was ultimately transported to an Islamabad hospital capable of a higher level of care. Following treatment in Islamabad, the member was transported safely to his home in Cape Town, South Africa, for definitive cardiac care. The member with the injured foot and thumb was transferred to a hospital in Islamabad for further evaluation before returning safely to his home in South Africa.

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Bottle Cap Lodged in Throat

The son of a member needed emergency airborne medical evacuation from Turks and Caicos. The U.S. resident contacted Global Rescue and reported that his son had a metal bottle cap lodged in his esophagus that…

The son of a member needed emergency airborne medical evacuation from Turks and Caicos. The U.S. resident contacted Global Rescue and reported that his son had a metal bottle cap lodged in his esophagus that couldn’t easily be removed. An X-ray taken at the local medical center confirmed the presence of the object. The attending physician advised that immediate removal of the metal cap was necessary but, unfortunately, the local medical center could not perform the procedure. Global Rescue medical operations personnel confirmed that commercial transport was unsuitable due to the risk of perforation. Global Rescue deployed an air ambulance and successfully transported the member from the Turks and Caicos Islands to a children’s medical center in Florida, U.S. for endoscopy and removal of the bottle cap from the distal esophagus. The procedure was successful, and the member was discharged the same day.

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Heart Attack During a Paragliding Trip

A South African member needed field rescue and medical evacuation during a paragliding trip in Paiju, Pakistan, when he contacted Global Rescue and reported having chest pain while trekking on Baltoro Glacier and increased discomfort…

A South African member needed field rescue and medical evacuation during a paragliding trip in Paiju, Pakistan, when he contacted Global Rescue and reported having chest pain while trekking on Baltoro Glacier and increased discomfort after paragliding. The member suspected he was having a heart attack, reporting numbness in his arms, severe chest tightness and pain radiating to his left arm. He took aspirin and supplemental oxygen, but his condition improved only slightly. Global Rescue deployed an emergency airborne medical evacuation team and successfully transported the member to a hospital in Skardu where he was admitted to the ICU for treatment of myocardial infarction. A day later, the treating physicians agreed that the member’s condition merited a higher level of care, whereupon Global Rescue arranged for his transport to a hospital in Islamabad for further evaluation and care. The member was stabilized and deemed fit to fly for definitive cardiac care at a Cape Town, South Africa, hospital. Global Rescue provided business class seating for the member who arrived safely in Cape Town.

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Medevac from Piaju Camp, Pakistan

A tour guide contacted Global Rescue reporting that a Brazilian member who was trekking with the expedition group became sick at the Piaju Camp in Pakistan. The member was suffering from episodes of vomiting and…

A tour guide contacted Global Rescue reporting that a Brazilian member who was trekking with the expedition group became sick at the Piaju Camp in Pakistan. The member was suffering from episodes of vomiting and a drop in blood pressure while at the camp. With no nearby medical facilities, the expedition leader requested a field rescue and Global Rescue launched an emergency airborne medical evacuation. The member was successfully transported to a medical facility where he underwent an evaluation and diagnostic procedures. The member was released for bed rest in his Islamabad hotel room before returning to his home in Brazil.

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Biking Mishap in Italy Reveals Heart Condition

A Canadian member needed medical evacuation following a bicycle accident in Italy. The member’s sister contacted Global Rescue reporting her sibling sustained a leg injury following the bike mishap and had been taken to the…

A Canadian member needed medical evacuation following a bicycle accident in Italy. The member’s sister contacted Global Rescue reporting her sibling sustained a leg injury following the bike mishap and had been taken to the emergency room. The member was treated and released with a cast and prescribed blood thinners. A day later, however, the member was discovered slumped in a chair and complained of severe dizziness. She returned to the hospital in Portoferraio where the attending physician expressed concern about her very low heart rate. The hospital did not have higher-level cardiovascular treatment services so Global Rescue arranged an interfacility helicopter transport to the cardiac unit of a hospital in Livorno where physicians advised that the member would require a pacemaker. Following the successful pacemaker insertion surgery, Global Rescue medical operations team members provided successful ground and air transport for the member to her home in Alberta, Canada, where she continued her follow-up cardiology care.

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Broken Ribs in the Gobi Desert

A U.S. member was badly injured while motorcycling in the Gobi Desert. A support vehicle brought the member to the adventure group’s camp to recover. Unfortunately, the member had trouble breathing and suspected he had…

A U.S. member was badly injured while motorcycling in the Gobi Desert. A support vehicle brought the member to the adventure group’s camp to recover. Unfortunately, the member had trouble breathing and suspected he had a collapsed lung. Since there were no nearby medical facilities, group leaders contacted Global Rescue to assist in evacuating the injured man for medical evaluation. The member was safely taken to a medical clinic where an examination revealed several cracked ribs and fluid accumulating in his lungs. Global Rescue medical operations leaders initiated an additional medical transport to bring the member to a hospital in Ulaanbaatar for a comprehensive evaluation with a specialist. Following the successful transport and a further examination, the member’s condition improved, and he decided to rejoin his group to continue their expedition using support vehicles instead of motorcycles.