Article Highlights

  • Specialized High-Altitude Rescues: Global Rescue collaborates with expert pilots in Nepal to perform challenging helicopter evacuations in remote, high-altitude environments.
  • Himalaya Mission Highlights: November had Global Rescue operations perform rescues for people suffering from acute mountain sickness, frostbite, and severe injuries.
  • Expanding Support for Climbers: Global Rescue’s High-Altitude Evacuation Package and extended deployments enhance safety and emergency response for adventurers in extreme mountain conditions.

 

High-altitude helicopter rescues are dangerous, and the potential for extreme weather changes compounds the risks. Helicopter rescues at high elevations involve risks. However, Global Rescue minimizes them by working with pilots and helicopter companies in Nepal that have exceeded our rigorous vetting processes that examine their safety records, pilot experience, and safety management systems.

The pilots are drawn to this risky work by the challenges of flying in high-altitude, remote mountains. We work with the best pilots in the world who are extraordinarily experienced at high-altitude rescues, often landing in risky areas or using long-line tactics to recover sick or injured climbers.

An actual rescue is straightforward. Once an airborne evacuation off the mountain is activated, Global Rescue coordinates with various rescue resources, including helicopter transport, ground transport to the hospital, and ongoing patient monitoring.

We have had challenging cases where people were stuck for several days due to extreme weather preventing all airborne flights, but this is an unavoidable condition of the environment. Overwhelmingly, our rescue cases are quick airborne interventions that have saved thousands of lives.

In a typical 30-day period, Global Rescue executes hundreds of operations in dozens of countries and principalities. But for this special edition of Global Rescue’s Mission Briefs, we are exclusively highlighting a few of the many Himalaya rescue operations completed in November 2024.

 

Long Line Rescue Saves a US Mountaineer

A member from the US exhibited acute mountain sickness (AMS) symptoms, including severe headache, dizziness, and difficulty breathing, while at Ama Dablam Camp 2, Khumjung, Nepal. A long-line helicopter evacuation was arranged, transporting the member to CIWEC Hospital in Kathmandu. After treatment, including oxygen and medications, the member was discharged in improved condition and later reported full recovery.

 

Frostbite at Camp 3 on Ama Dablam

A member from Ireland sustained severe frostbite on all fingers while at Ama Dablam Camp 3, Khumjung, Nepal. Due to the severity of the injury, a long-line helicopter evacuation to CIWEC Hospital in Kathmandu was approved. The member underwent Iloprost treatment and was discharged after completing therapy, expressing gratitude for the assistance.

 

Severe Ankle Injury Ends Summit Attempt

A member from Norway sustained a right ankle injury after slipping on ice during a Lobuche summit attempt in Khumjung, Nepal. Initial treatment involved reducing the dislocation on-site, but due to limited mobility, a helicopter evacuation to PLNN Hospital was arranged. An X-ray confirmed no fractures, but the member later experienced a second dislocation. Further evaluation in Kathmandu revealed ligament tears requiring knee immobilization and a recommendation for surgery. The member returned home with a business class upgrade arranged for comfort.

 

Canadian Climber Suffers Acute Gastroenteritis

A member from Canada suffered from acute gastroenteritis, experiencing severe vomiting and diarrhea, while in Kothe, Nepal. Due to the lack of local medical care, a helicopter evacuation to Lukla Hospital was arranged. After treatment, the member recovered and declined further follow-up, continuing onward travel arrangements.

 

Acute Mountain Sickness on Ama Dablam

A member from the US experienced worsening symptoms, including severe headache, fatigue, and frequent diarrhea, while at Camp 3 during an attempt to summit Ama Dablam in Khumjung, Nepal. Despite initial treatment with NSAIDs and Loperamide, her condition did not improve, prompting her husband to contact Global Rescue. She was evacuated by helicopter from Ama Dablam Base Camp to PLNN Hospital in Lukla, where she was diagnosed with Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and Acute Gastroenteritis. After evaluation and treatment, Ms. Sims was discharged with home medications.

 

HAPE, HACE Prompt Medevac

A member from Australia suffered severe symptoms, including persistent cough, weakness, and breathing difficulties, while trekking in Ama Dablam, Khumjung, Nepal. Medical evaluation determined high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). A helicopter evacuation was approved, and the member was transported to CIWEC Hospital in Kathmandu, treated with IV fluids, and discharged with medications and recovery instructions.

 

Trekker Suffers from AMS and Sunburn

A member from the US experienced severe symptoms of AMS, including uncontrollable cough, headache, and dizziness, while trekking in Lobuche, Khumjung, Nepal. A helicopter evacuation was arranged, and the member was transported to CIWEC Hospital in Kathmandu. The member was diagnosed with AMS and sunburn, treated with hydration and topical applications, and discharged for further rest.

 

Chest Pains at Base Camp

A member from the United Kingdom reported chest pain, dizziness, and body weakness while at Ama Dablam Base Camp, Khumjung, Nepal. Despite prior treatment, symptoms worsened, prompting a helicopter evacuation to PLNN Hospital in Lukla. The member was diagnosed with post-AMS and discharged with minor residual symptoms and recovery instructions.

 

Dingboche Trekker Requires Airborne Rescue

A member from the US developed symptoms of AMS, including headache, chest tightness, and insomnia, while trekking near Dingboche, Nepal. After symptoms persisted, a helicopter evacuation was arranged to PLNN Hospital in Lukla. The member was diagnosed with acute mountain sickness, treated, and advised to rest at a lower altitude for recovery.

 

Deep Vein Thrombosis Causes Helicopter Rescue

A member from the United Kingdom experienced swelling in the left calf, suspected to be deep vein thrombosis (DVT), while at Ama Dablam Base Camp, Khumjung, Nepal. A helicopter evacuation to CIWEC Hospital in Kathmandu was arranged. The member was diagnosed with a thrombus in the medial gastrocnemius vein, treated with anticoagulants, and deemed fit to fly back home after monitoring.

 

Blurred Vision, Slurred Speech on Ama Dablam

A member from Australia experienced vision issues and slurred speech, potentially due to high-altitude retinopathy, while at Ama Dablam Camp 3, Khumjung, Nepal. A long-line helicopter rescue was arranged, transporting the member to CIWEC Hospital in Kathmandu. The member received treatment, showed improvement, and was advised to follow up with an ophthalmologist.

 

Fainting Spells in Dughla

A member from the US reported multiple episodes of syncope, also known as fainting or passing out due to a sudden drop in blood pressure, while trekking in Dughla, Khumjung, Nepal. A helicopter evacuation to PLNN Hospital was arranged. The member was diagnosed with syncope related to low oxygen saturation and was advised to follow up with a cardiologist upon returning home.

 

The Global Rescue Connection

Participation in mountaineering, trekking and other high-altitude activities has seen rapid increases in recent years. Global Rescue continues to expand and enhance its services for this community by increasing our capabilities to provide emergency services in more regions, committing to longer deployments of our medical operations personnel, and extending our in-field rescue operational durations.

Implementing the High-Altitude Evacuation Package and making it available to members 16 years of age and older who travel above 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) during any part of their trip (excluding airplane travel) and who require emergency transport due to injury or illness enables us to continue enhancing our current service capabilities for the climbing and trekking community worldwide. For example, we deploy operations professionals to Nepal during the climbing season and will do so for longer periods and in other locations popular with climbers.