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Surviving a Fall into a Crevasse on K2

A member from the UAE needed field rescue while trekking Broad Peak Mountain in Pakistan after having trouble walking following a fall into a crevasse. She contacted Global Rescue, and the medical operations team advised…

A member from the UAE needed field rescue while trekking Broad Peak Mountain in Pakistan after having trouble walking following a fall into a crevasse. She contacted Global Rescue, and the medical operations team advised her to descend to base camp, the highest elevation allowable for a helicopter transport. Despite suffering additional symptoms including shortness of breath, a cough, generalized weakness and diarrhea, she was able to descend off Broad Peak and undertake a short hike to the K2 base camp where she was transported by helicopter to a hospital and treated for frostbite on her nose and large toes in addition to left knee trauma from her fall. She was admitted for two nights before recovering sufficiently and being discharged.

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Breathless on the Mountain of Greatness

A 45-year-old U.S. member needed field rescue from Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, after suffering respiratory issues, including wheezing, shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest tightness. Her symptoms correlated with HAPE. To alleviate her condition, she was…

A 45-year-old U.S. member needed field rescue from Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, after suffering respiratory issues, including wheezing, shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest tightness. Her symptoms correlated with HAPE. To alleviate her condition, she was given Nifedipine, and Paracetamol and received oxygen at a nearby camp. Despite the medications, her condition worsened and her HAPE symptoms progressed. She contacted Global Rescue and, upon reviewing her condition, an airborne transport to a hospital was arranged. She was transported successfully, and she received treatment before being discharged with oral medications.

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Snowboarding Accident in Chile

A 27-year-old U.S. member needed a medical evacuation from Chile to Chicago after injuring his left hand during a snowboarding accident in El Colorado. He received a consultation at a local clinic and was diagnosed…

A 27-year-old U.S. member needed a medical evacuation from Chile to Chicago after injuring his left hand during a snowboarding accident in El Colorado. He received a consultation at a local clinic and was diagnosed with a fractured index finger on his left hand. He contacted Global Rescue medical operations personnel and concurred with local treating physicians to return to the U.S. for further consultation and treatment of his injury. Due to the need for further evaluation and possible surgery, Global Rescue operations arranged his transfer home, including ground and air transport. The member arrived home successfully and went to the hospital for his surgery.

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Dangerous Facial Swelling at High Altitude

A 64-year-old U.S. member of the American Alpine Club needed field rescue from Shira Camp 2 on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania contacted Global Rescue medical operations to report swelling and tightness in his lips, cheeks and…

A 64-year-old U.S. member of the American Alpine Club needed field rescue from Shira Camp 2 on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania contacted Global Rescue medical operations to report swelling and tightness in his lips, cheeks and face. A friend and internist suggested that he could be experiencing adverse reactions to Lisinopril, a medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, or there could be a clot causing the swelling. We initiated an immediate airborne evacuation due to the member’s condition. He was safely airlifted from the mountain to a hospital in Moshi. At the hospital emergency department, the member was evaluated and tested before being discharged after receiving a cortisone injection and Loratadine, a medicine used to treat allergies.

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Severe Altitude Sickness on K2

A Canadian member required field rescue from K2 in Pakistan after she began suffering from high-altitude sickness. One of the expedition guides contacted Global Rescue and said the member’s symptoms included headache, weakness, decreased appetite,…

A Canadian member required field rescue from K2 in Pakistan after she began suffering from high-altitude sickness. One of the expedition guides contacted Global Rescue and said the member’s symptoms included headache, weakness, decreased appetite, and diarrhea over the past several days. Her condition worsened to the point where she required assistance with basic tasks and struggled to maintain her balance. Despite taking Diamox, her symptoms – shortness of breath, dry cough and constant shivering – did not improve. A doctor in the expedition group suggested further evaluation, possibly considering a bacterial infection. Global Rescue physicians reviewed the initial information and recommended helicopter evacuation to a lower elevation for medical assessment. The member was successfully transported to a hospital in Skardu for evaluation and treatment. Her condition improved after receiving appropriate treatment, and she was subsequently discharged.

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Ski Accident in El Colorado, Chile

A U.S. skier suffered an accident while training in El Colorado, Lo Barnachea, Chile. Her coach contacted Global Rescue to report that the high school skier sustained a leg injury, was conscious, in pain and…

A U.S. skier suffered an accident while training in El Colorado, Lo Barnachea, Chile. Her coach contacted Global Rescue to report that the high school skier sustained a leg injury, was conscious, in pain and did not appear to have any head injuries. The treating physician diagnosed her with a broken right leg that could be managed with an open cast. Global Rescue physicians concurred that the skier could travel without an escort from Santiago, Chile, to her home state in Michigan, provided she was pain-free, had parental consent, kept her leg elevated, used crutches and took a simple blood thinner. Global Rescue approved a commercial business class flight from Santiago, Chile, to Detroit. She arrived safely and proceeded directly to Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital for a scheduled consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.

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HAPE on Kilimanjaro

An American member needed evacuation from Mount Kilimanjaro after experiencing severe symptoms, including headache, dizziness, cough, chest pain and shortness of breath. After arriving at Karanga Camp, a medical assessment revealed low oxygen saturation (62%)…

An American member needed evacuation from Mount Kilimanjaro after experiencing severe symptoms, including headache, dizziness, cough, chest pain and shortness of breath. After arriving at Karanga Camp, a medical assessment revealed low oxygen saturation (62%) and lung crackles, indicating HAPE. Due to the severity of his condition, Global Rescue authorized a field rescue to transport the member to a hospital in Moshi, Tanzania. The evacuation was conducted safely and without incident. The member was diagnosed with HAPE and discharged with instructions to seek further medical attention if symptoms did not improve.

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Rescue from Kyrgyzstan

A member from Singapore was showing signs of high-altitude sickness while climbing Lenin Peak in Kyrgyzstan. Global Rescue medical operations personnel were notified and given the risk of HACE, we initiated an airborne field rescue.…

A member from Singapore was showing signs of high-altitude sickness while climbing Lenin Peak in Kyrgyzstan. Global Rescue medical operations personnel were notified and given the risk of HACE, we initiated an airborne field rescue. The member was safely transported to a hospital where he was admitted and later diagnosed with chronic bronchial disease in exacerbation. He was hospitalized for five days after which he was cleared to fly commercially and discharged.

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Student Faints in Madagascar

A U.S. college student and Global Rescue member was walking in the field of Salary, Madagascar, when she experienced a syncopal episode, an unexpected fainting spell due to a sudden, temporary drop in blood pressure…

A U.S. college student and Global Rescue member was walking in the field of Salary, Madagascar, when she experienced a syncopal episode, an unexpected fainting spell due to a sudden, temporary drop in blood pressure or heart rate that can lead to a temporary loss of consciousness. She regained consciousness but, according to her tour leader and professor who contacted Global Rescue medical operations, the student later showed symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, with blood in her stool. Despite receiving treatment at a medical clinic, the student’s condition did not improve. Global Rescue physicians determined that an evacuation to a hospital capable of a higher level of care was necessary and we initiated an ambulance ground transport. The student was successfully transported and, following treatment, was discharged from the hospital requiring no further assistance from Global Rescue.

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Bad Fall in Concordia

An Ecuadorian member contacted Global Rescue requesting field rescue from Concordia Camp in Baltoro Glacier in Pakistan after falling approximately 16 feet/5 meters the previous day when he landed on his left arm. He reported…

An Ecuadorian member contacted Global Rescue requesting field rescue from Concordia Camp in Baltoro Glacier in Pakistan after falling approximately 16 feet/5 meters the previous day when he landed on his left arm. He reported severe swelling and pain and, despite taking ibuprofen, his discomfort persisted and stated that hiking with a prosthesis exacerbated the injury. Given the severity of the injury, Global Rescue medical operations initiated an airborne field rescue. They successfully transported the man to a hospital in Skardu where doctors diagnosed him with a fracture.

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HAPE on K2

A 48-year-old woman from Singapore reached out to Global Rescue medical operations while at Concordia Camp (15390 feet/4,691 meters) on K2. She reported suffering from symptoms indicative of Acute Mountain Sickness, including colds, cough and…

A 48-year-old woman from Singapore reached out to Global Rescue medical operations while at Concordia Camp (15390 feet/4,691 meters) on K2. She reported suffering from symptoms indicative of Acute Mountain Sickness, including colds, cough and difficulty breathing. Her oxygen level was 50%, and the camp doctor assessed her condition as AMS with possible HAPE. The camp doctor prescribed montelukast, cetirizine, DayQuil for nighttime use, and acetaminophen. The member had also been taking Diamox for altitude sickness, but her symptoms persisted. Due to the severity of her condition, Global Rescue medical operations personnel activated an airborne field rescue. The member was successfully evacuated to a hospital in Skardu where she received medical attention and was subsequently discharged.

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Spinal Injury in Costa Rica

A 73-year-old member from the US sustained a cervical spine injury in Costa Rica and underwent emergency surgery at a hospital near Santa Ana. He remained hemodynamically stable in intensive care but required continued hospitalization…

A 73-year-old member from the US sustained a cervical spine injury in Costa Rica and underwent emergency surgery at a hospital near Santa Ana. He remained hemodynamically stable in intensive care but required continued hospitalization and specialized follow-up in the US. Medical teams recommended air ambulance transport. Global Rescue arranged the flight to a hospital in Texas for ongoing care. He was safely transferred and admitted for continued treatment.