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Teen Suffers AMS in Kenya

A young teenage member was exhibiting symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) while on Mount Kenya (17,057 feet/5,199 meters). Excursion leaders contacted Global Rescue and reported the member was unable to walk and had to…

A young teenage member was exhibiting symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) while on Mount Kenya (17,057 feet/5,199 meters). Excursion leaders contacted Global Rescue and reported the member was unable to walk and had to be carried down the mountain while experiencing nausea, severe vomiting, abdominal cramps, dehydration and overall weakness. Global Rescue medical operations team leaders initiated an airborne medical emergency field rescue, and the member was successfully transported to a hospital in Nanyuki, Kenya, where he was diagnosed with gastroenteritis and a potential case of AMS. He received antibiotics and IV fluids and was discharged with medications and a scheduled follow-up appointment for the next day. The member and his family stayed in a hotel where his condition continued to improve.

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Motorcycle Crash in Mongolia

A United Arab Emirates member contacted Global Rescue to report he suffered multiple fractures in his right hand following a motorcycle accident in Kharkhorin, Mongolia. He underwent emergency surgery at a hospital in Ulaanbaatar. Unfortunately,…

A United Arab Emirates member contacted Global Rescue to report he suffered multiple fractures in his right hand following a motorcycle accident in Kharkhorin, Mongolia. He underwent emergency surgery at a hospital in Ulaanbaatar. Unfortunately, the member’s right hand was severely swollen, and the treating doctor was unable to fix his dislocated finger. The doctor recommended microsurgery at a facility capable of performing the procedure. Global Rescue concurred with the recommendation and initiated the member’s successful transfer to his home hospital of choice in Abu Dhabi for further surgery and care.

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Fractured Patella in Portugal

Slips and falls happen on vacation. It happened to a U.S. member during a trip to Portugal. The member fell on steps fracturing her patella, commonly known as the knee cap. Following the required surgery,…

Slips and falls happen on vacation. It happened to a U.S. member during a trip to Portugal. The member fell on steps fracturing her patella, commonly known as the knee cap. Following the required surgery, the member and her spouse contacted Global Rescue for assistance getting to their home in Virginia. Global Rescue medical operations procured a return flight and seats with extra legroom to allow the member to keep her leg elevated and straight. Global Rescue services also arranged ground transportation from the airport to the member’s home. The couple arrived home safely and without incident.

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Finger Frostbite in Nepal

A Global Rescue member from South Africa had successfully summited Mount Everest but suffered frostbite on three of his right-hand fingers while at Mount Everest Base Camp II. Global Rescue initiated a helicopter field rescue…

A Global Rescue member from South Africa had successfully summited Mount Everest but suffered frostbite on three of his right-hand fingers while at Mount Everest Base Camp II. Global Rescue initiated a helicopter field rescue and airborne transport of the member to a hospital in Kathmandu for medical evaluation and treatment. The transport was successful. Medical personnel diagnosed the member with frostbite. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment. Following appropriate care, the member was discharged for continued treatment as an outpatient before departing home on his scheduled flight.

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Motorcycle Accident in Australia

Motorcycle accidents often result in more serious injuries than automobile accidents. So, when an Australian member sustained multiple bone injuries after a motorcycling accident, Global Rescue was contacted by the member’s parent for advisory. The…

Motorcycle accidents often result in more serious injuries than automobile accidents. So, when an Australian member sustained multiple bone injuries after a motorcycling accident, Global Rescue was contacted by the member’s parent for advisory. The treating hospital stabilized the member and completed multiple surgeries on his left shoulder, elbow, and right femur. Upon release from the hospital, Global Rescue recommended upgraded seating for the member’s mother and his return flight home to provide extra room for positioning and comfort. The member and his mother arrived safely and without incident at their home in Melbourne.

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HAPE at 21,000 Feet

A member from Switzerland was at Mount Everest Camp 2 (21,000 feet/6,400 meters) when he suffered the onset of High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), chest pain, shortness of breath, mild headache and frostbite on his toes…

A member from Switzerland was at Mount Everest Camp 2 (21,000 feet/6,400 meters) when he suffered the onset of High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), chest pain, shortness of breath, mild headache and frostbite on his toes and fingers. Global Rescue recognized the severity of the member’s condition and initiated an airborne rescue and transport to a hospital. Following a successful transport, a hospital physician evaluated the member whose vital signs were stable. The member elected to leave the hospital and receive further treatment at his home of residence if needed.

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Tick Bite Fever in South Africa?

When a member traveling in Komga, South Africa, began experiencing fever, signs of dehydration, nausea, vomiting, loose bowel movements, body weakness, and stiff neck and joints he call Global Rescue. The member wasn’t certain if…

When a member traveling in Komga, South Africa, began experiencing fever, signs of dehydration, nausea, vomiting, loose bowel movements, body weakness, and stiff neck and joints he call Global Rescue. The member wasn’t certain if his condition was the result of tick-bite fever. African tick bite fever (ATBF) is a bacterial infection spread by the bite of a tick. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle pain and a rash. Complications are rare but may include joint inflammation. Global Rescue physicians advised that the member’s symptoms and medical history warranted transport to the closest medical facility for evaluation along with laboratory tests and possible intravenous therapy. Global Rescue medical operations staff arrange ground conveyance for the member who was safely transported to the hospital where he was discharged the following morning after receiving treatment and medications. Global Rescue medical operations personnel continued to follow up with the member for post-discharge updates. The member’s recovery progressed, and he arrived safely at his home in Florida.

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Rescue From Mount Everest

A member from Mexico began suffering from chest pain, fever and shortness of breath after returning from Mount Everest Camp 4 to Camp 3. His breathing labored without supplemental oxygen, and he complained of general…

A member from Mexico began suffering from chest pain, fever and shortness of breath after returning from Mount Everest Camp 4 to Camp 3. His breathing labored without supplemental oxygen, and he complained of general body weakness. Able to stand but not walk, the member was carried by Sherpas from Camp 3 to Camp 2. Due to his Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) symptoms, ongoing difficulty breathing and need for continuous supplemental oxygen, Global Rescue operations initiated a helicopter transport from Mount Everest Camp 2 to a hospital in Lukla. The member was successfully evacuated to the hospital where he was diagnosed and prescribed antibiotics. Global Rescue medical support personnel visited the member in the hospital to help manage his care until his discharge.

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Helicopter Transport Off Mount Everest

A member from India was experiencing a cough and sore throat and agreed to descend the next day to Mount Everest Base Camp where his condition could be monitored. Unfortunately, the following day his symptoms…

A member from India was experiencing a cough and sore throat and agreed to descend the next day to Mount Everest Base Camp where his condition could be monitored. Unfortunately, the following day his symptoms became more serious. He started to experience shortness of breath and his oxygen saturation was 70% with supplemental oxygen. Due to his worsening condition, Global Rescue medical operations personnel initiated a helicopter field rescue from Mount Everest Camp 2 to a hospital in Kathmandu. The member was successfully transported to the hospital where he was examined and diagnosed with High-altitude cerebral edema and HAPE. Hospital officials admitted him for observation. He was discharged the following day for follow-up treatment at a hospital at his home of record.

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Skiing Accident in Canada

A couple from Salt Lake City were skiing the backcountry out of cellular service range in the mountains of northwestern British Columbia, Canada when the wife had a bad fall, twisting her right knee and…

A couple from Salt Lake City were skiing the backcountry out of cellular service range in the mountains of northwestern British Columbia, Canada when the wife had a bad fall, twisting her right knee and ankle. Unable to continue, the couple’s skiing guide called for a helicopter field rescue, transporting the injured member to a nearby hospital where she was examined and diagnosed with a right ankle fracture and a meniscal tear in her knee. The Global Rescue medical operations team concurred with the treating physician’s recommendation for the member to fly home as soon as possible for an immediate orthopedic consultation. Global Rescue provided for wheelchair assistance at the airport and an airplane seating upgrade to keep her leg elevated. The member and her husband arrived home safely.

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Chopper Rescue In Nepal

A member from Florida suffering symptoms of Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) needed a helicopter rescue from Dingboche (14,470 ft/4,410 m), a popular stop for trekkers and climbers headed to Mount Everest, Ama Dablam or Imja…

A member from Florida suffering symptoms of Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) needed a helicopter rescue from Dingboche (14,470 ft/4,410 m), a popular stop for trekkers and climbers headed to Mount Everest, Ama Dablam or Imja Tse. The expedition leader contacted Global Rescue operations reporting the member’s oxygen saturation level was 53% — well below the normal range of 95% to 100%. Supplemental oxygen elevated the member’s level to 83% but she remained weak and experienced continued difficulty breathing. The Global Rescue operations team initiated an airborne rescue and transport of the member to a nearby hospital. The hospital’s treating physician confirmed an AMS diagnosis and provided supplemental oxygen and a dexamethasone tab. Feeling better, the member traveled to Kathmandu for further medical evaluation and reported feeling stable.

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Cyclone Injury In Vanuatu

An Australian couple was vacationing in Port Vila in The Republic of Vanuatu, an island country located in the South Pacific Ocean when a category four cyclone struck with sustained winds of 158–198 kph/98-123 mph…

An Australian couple was vacationing in Port Vila in The Republic of Vanuatu, an island country located in the South Pacific Ocean when a category four cyclone struck with sustained winds of 158–198 kph/98-123 mph and gusts up to 280 kph/175 mph. The destructive winds caused damage and the husband sustained a serious injury to his hand from a broken window. A local physician examined the member and diagnosed him with two severed tendons on his right hand and recommended immediate surgery. Unfortunately, the local medical facility could not perform the required surgery. Global Rescue was contacted, and the medical operations team concurred the need for prompt surgery. The couple flew to Brisbane, Australia where the husband was admitted and underwent successful surgery. He was discharged from the hospital with a fit-to-fly letter. The Global Rescue operations team arranged a medical evacuation for the recovering member from Brisbane to Sydney, Australia. The couple arrived home safely.