High-Altitude

Evacuation Package

FAQs

Participation in mountaineering, trekking and other high-altitude activities has seen rapid increases in recent years. Global Rescue will be expanding and enhancing 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. Global Rescue has already been the acknowledged leader for many years in the community. 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 be doing so for longer periods of time and in other locations popular with climbers.

A High-Altitude Evacuation Package should be purchased by any member 16 years of age and older who is planning to travel above 15,000 feet or 4,600 meters at any point during their trip, excluding airplane travel.

Global Rescue’s medical experts, renowned in high-altitude medicine, have thoroughly researched the issue. Based on the available literature, it’s deemed medically inappropriate for individuals under 16 to travel to such high elevations. To discourage unhealthy practices for those under this age, our High-Altitude Evacuation Package is restricted to those 16 years and older.

The High-Altitude Evacuation Package is $395 for an individual and $795 for a family. Members can upgrade any membership with the High-Altitude Evacuation Package regardless of type or duration. Please note the High-Altitude Evacuation Package is required for rescue above 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) and is limited to Global Rescue members who are 16 years of age or older. Multi-year memberships require adding the High-Altitude Evacuation Package for each year of the membership. Traditional insurance usually won’t rescue you at any altitude, and a medical evacuation can cost up to $300,000. The cost to our members with our High-Altitude Evacuation Package is zero.

If the member has traveled above 15,000 feet or 4,600 meters during their trip (excluding airplane travel), medical transport services will not be included in their standard Global Rescue membership. In this situation, the Global Rescue team is available to assist on a fee for service basis.

Yes, you can add a High-Altitude Evacuation Package to your membership by contacting our Member Services team. Please note, the High-Altitude Evacuation Package must be purchased before an illness or injury during a high-altitude trip has occurred and is limited to Global Rescue members who are 16 years of age or older.

If the member has traveled above 15,000 feet or 4,600 meters at any time during their trip (excluding airplane travel), field rescue will not be included in a standard Global Rescue membership that does not include the High-Altitude Evacuation Package. In this situation, the Global Rescue team is available to assist on a fee for service basis.

Altitudes above 23,000 feet (7,010 meters) place you outside the ability of most operating helicopters. It is also important to note that evacuations occurring at the top-end of safe operational altitudes are subject to pilot approval and weather conditions. Should you require evacuation above this elevation, Global Rescue will utilize available ground resources to perform the first part of your evacuation.