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Critical Altitude Illness On Ama Dablam

A member from Altadena, United States, was at Camp 3 on Ama Dablam in the Khumjung region of Nepal, at approximately 20,670 feet/6,300 meters, when her guide reported symptoms of acute mountain sickness with concern…

A member from Altadena, United States, was at Camp 3 on Ama Dablam in the Khumjung region of Nepal, at approximately 20,670 feet/6,300 meters, when her guide reported symptoms of acute mountain sickness with concern for high altitude cerebral edema. She experienced dizziness, headache, vomiting, weakness, chest pain, difficulty breathing and inability to move. Because Camp 3 did not have a safe landing area for a helicopter, the operations team instructed the climbing team to descend to a higher but more suitable camp or to base camp, although poor weather delayed the descent. Later she confirmed that she had reached Kathmandu and was recovering. The helicopter provider subsequently confirmed that she had been transported from Camp 3 to Lukla using a hover landing technique, and senior management approved coverage of the field rescue cost. The member continued her recovery in Kathmandu. 

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Suspected HAPE at Khote

A member from Tampines, Singapore, was in Khote in the Chaurikharka region of Nepal after time on Mera Peak when he reported symptoms consistent with high altitude pulmonary edema. Through messaging he described cough, shortness…

A member from Tampines, Singapore, was in Khote in the Chaurikharka region of Nepal after time on Mera Peak when he reported symptoms consistent with high altitude pulmonary edema. Through messaging he described cough, shortness of breath and an inability to keep pace with his group, noting that his condition had not improved with descent and medication. Following assessment, the operations team authorized helicopter evacuation from Khote to a hospital in Lukla. There he was evaluated and diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection, treated and discharged in stable condition. Reviewing physicians agreed with the management plan and advised that he have his blood pressure rechecked once he returned home. 

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Ghandruk Gastrointestinal Illness

A 26-year-old member from Paris, France was staying at a hotel in Ghandruk, Nepal, while trekking toward Annapurna Base Camp when her mother called the operations team. The member had been experiencing diarrhea, nausea, fatigue…

A 26-year-old member from Paris, France was staying at a hotel in Ghandruk, Nepal, while trekking toward Annapurna Base Camp when her mother called the operations team. The member had been experiencing diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and dehydration for two days, which prevented her from continuing the trek. The team performed a remote assessment and consulted with physicians, who recommended evacuation to a higher level of care. A helicopter transport was approved from Ghandruk to a medical center in Kathmandu. She was admitted for further evaluation and treatment and discharged the next day in improved condition. Reviewing physicians confirmed that her records showed no concerning findings. 

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Unrelenting Symptoms on Mera

A 52-year-old member from Hougang, Singapore, was climbing Mera Peak in Nepal when she sent a message to the operations team from Thangnag. She reported a severe headache, nausea and difficulty breathing that had begun…

A 52-year-old member from Hougang, Singapore, was climbing Mera Peak in Nepal when she sent a message to the operations team from Thangnag. She reported a severe headache, nausea and difficulty breathing that had begun two days earlier at Mera High Camp and had not improved despite descending roughly 1,000 meters and using supplemental oxygen. Concerned about possible high altitude pulmonary or cerebral edema, the operations team approved an emergency helicopter evacuation to a hospital in Lukla. After evaluation she was discharged in improved condition. She later confirmed that she had arranged her own onward transport to Kathmandu and expressed thanks for the assistance. 

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Mild AMS at Dzongla

A 27-year-old member from West Kelowna, Canada, was staying at a lodge in Dzongla in the Khumjung region of Nepal when a helicopter evacuation was requested on her behalf. She was experiencing symptoms of altitude…

A 27-year-old member from West Kelowna, Canada, was staying at a lodge in Dzongla in the Khumjung region of Nepal when a helicopter evacuation was requested on her behalf. She was experiencing symptoms of altitude illness, including shortness of breath, chest pain and low oxygen saturation. The operations team approved helicopter transport from Dzongla to a hospital in Lukla, where she was evaluated and treated. She was discharged the same day with a diagnosis of mild acute mountain sickness and no prescribed medications. The member did not contact the operations team after discharge, and the case was closed. 

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Mera Peak AMS Evacuation

A 68-year-old member from Great Barrington, United States, developed worsening symptoms of acute mountain sickness with suspected high altitude pulmonary edema while on Mera Peak in Nepal. Her spouse reported increasing weakness, shortness of breath…

A 68-year-old member from Great Barrington, United States, developed worsening symptoms of acute mountain sickness with suspected high altitude pulmonary edema while on Mera Peak in Nepal. Her spouse reported increasing weakness, shortness of breath that worsened when lying flat due to congestion, a dry cough, persistent headache, nausea and multiple episodes of diarrhea. After remote assessment, the operations team approved a helicopter evacuation from Thagnak to a hospital in Lukla. She was safely transported, evaluated and diagnosed with acute mountain sickness, then monitored for several hours. As her condition improved she was discharged with medications and detailed instructions on warning signs to watch for after discharge. The member and her spouse declined further check-ins but understood they could contact the operations team if her condition changed. 

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HAPE at Himlung Base

A 61-year-old member from Cullompton, United Kingdom, was at Himlung Himal Base Camp in the Fu region of Nepal when his guide reported that he was having difficulty breathing and a persistent cough. He had…

A 61-year-old member from Cullompton, United Kingdom, was at Himlung Himal Base Camp in the Fu region of Nepal when his guide reported that he was having difficulty breathing and a persistent cough. He had been coughing for about 10 days since arriving in Kathmandu, and his symptoms had progressed to severe headache, insomnia, rapid breathing, chest pain, bluish discoloration of the fingertips and an oxygen saturation of 70 percent despite supplemental oxygen. The operations team approved a helicopter evacuation from base camp to a hospital in Kathmandu. There he was diagnosed with high altitude pulmonary edema, acute bronchitis and sinusitis and was discharged on antibiotics and cough medication. In follow-up he reported feeling better, though he still had some chest tightness and cough, and he chose to manage his recovery with self-care measures while remaining aware that he could request further support if needed. 

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Solo Climber HACE Concern

A 28-year-old member from Geneva, Nepal, was climbing alone at Ama Dablam Base Camp in Khumjung, Nepal, when he contacted the operations team through a satellite messaging platform. He reported feeling very ill with dizziness…

A 28-year-old member from Geneva, Nepal, was climbing alone at Ama Dablam Base Camp in Khumjung, Nepal, when he contacted the operations team through a satellite messaging platform. He reported feeling very ill with dizziness and loss of balance, symptoms concerning for high altitude cerebral edema, and requested helicopter evacuation. He also reported a recent history of high altitude cerebral edema with seizure episodes earlier in the year. Given his symptoms, medical history and isolated location, a Global Rescue physician advised immediate evacuation. A helicopter transport was approved from Ama Dablam Base Camp to a hospital in Kathmandu, where he was evaluated, treated and discharged with medications after notable improvement. He continued his recovery at a hotel in Kathmandu, reported significant improvement and planned to return to his home of record.

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Severe Dehydration at Barranco

A 50-year-old member from Allen, United State,s was at Barranco Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania when an evacuation request was forwarded to the operations team. Through her guide, she reported vomiting, frequent watery diarrhea…

A 50-year-old member from Allen, United States, was at Barranco Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania when an evacuation request was forwarded to the operations team. Through her guide, she reported vomiting, frequent watery diarrhea with about fifteen episodes in one day, chills, dizziness, generalized weakness, persistent headache, possible fever, blue-tinged lips, poor skin turgor, delayed capillary refill and an unsteady gait, along with an oxygen saturation of 72 percent off supplemental oxygen. She suspected food poisoning or a viral illness. Due to severe dehydration and hypoxia with concern for high altitude pulmonary edema, a helicopter evacuation was approved from Barranco Camp to a nearby hospital for immediate treatment. Specific diagnoses and medications were not provided, but she was discharged later that day. During a wellness check she reported ongoing dehydration yet overall improvement and continued her prescribed medications while arranging an earlier return flight. 

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HACE at Annapurna Camp

A 34-year-old member from Bogor Utara, Indonesia, was climbing Annapurna IV in Nepal when she developed severe altitude illness at Camp 3. She reported difficulty breathing, severe headache, facial swelling, cough and nausea and requested…

A 34-year-old member from Bogor Utara, Indonesia, was climbing Annapurna IV in Nepal when she developed severe altitude illness at Camp 3. She reported difficulty breathing, severe headache, facial swelling, cough and nausea and requested evacuation. Communications then stopped for a time, and later updates confirmed she had descended to Camp 2. A family member attempted to activate a helicopter independently before coordination with the operations team was clarified. As her symptoms did not improve by the following day, the operations team approved a helicopter evacuation from Camp 2 to a medical center in Kathmandu. She was admitted and treated for high altitude cerebral edema, low potassium levels and dehydration and was discharged the next day. Reviewing physicians noted no concerns with her care. 

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Remote Hematuria In Dolpo

A 59-year-old member from Yorba Linda, United States, developed acute blood in the urine and frequent urination while trekking in the Dolpo region of Nepal near Sahartara and Dunai, far from advanced medical care. Because…

A 59-year-old member from Yorba Linda, United States, developed acute blood in the urine and frequent urination while trekking in the Dolpo region of Nepal near Sahartara and Dunai, far from advanced medical care. Because his symptoms persisted and he was in a remote area without nearby facilities, the operations team approved a helicopter evacuation from Dunai to a larger medical center. Daylight limitations required a diversion to Pokhara, followed by an ambulance transfer to the treating facility. He was diagnosed with hematuria under evaluation and dehydration, received treatment, then traveled to Kathmandu for additional laboratory testing as advised by a consulting physician. He remained stable, continued to recover and had no further requests for support. 

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Head Injury After Summit

A 63-year-old member from Crown Point, United States, had recently summited Uhuru Peak at approximately 19,340 feet/5,895 meters on Mount Kilimanjaro and was descending toward Kosovo Camp at approximately 15,980 feet/4,870 meters when she fell…

A 63-year-old member from Crown Point, United States, had recently summited Uhuru Peak at approximately 19,340 feet/5,895 meters on Mount Kilimanjaro and was descending toward Kosovo Camp at approximately 15,980 feet/4,870 meters when she fell and struck the back of her head. She remained alert and oriented with no loss of consciousness but developed a severe headache and a 5 centimeter laceration on the back of her head. Her bleeding was controlled, her oxygen saturation was 88 percent with a heart rate of 90 beats per minute, and she received ibuprofen and supplemental oxygen before continuing to Kosovo Camp. Due to the mechanism of injury and concern for head trauma, the operations team approved a helicopter evacuation to a hospital in Moshi. Poor weather delayed the airlift, so she descended to Barafu Camp and was successfully evacuated later that day. Her wound was closed with stitches at the hospital, she was discharged with medications and continued her recovery at a hotel while awaiting her return flight home.