Medivac

[FUBAR]

OK, PH to the rescue time!

Does anyone know anything about medical repatriation (specifically from the Caribbean)? Yes I know its expensive, but does anyone have recommendations (or even contacts) for what is a specialised area. I've got a couple of numbers from Google but I would rather not use a Cessna flown by a bloke who's done a First Aid course.

Mods apologies for the cross posting

[mrpurple]

Not seen them for a long time but the owners were friends of mine so can vouch for them... think they only do EU but may be able to point you in the right direction. All the best

http://www.medicareuropean.co.uk/contactus.htm

[numtumfutunch]

It wont be cheap and it wont be as high tech as you think either
Most likely a random doc working as a locum babysitting someone on the back row of economy

Travel insurance??

[mrpurple]

numtumfutunch said:

It wont be cheap and it wont be as high tech as you think either
Most likely a random doc working as a locum babysitting someone on the back row of economy

Travel insurance??

speaking from experience or just a guess?

ps I should have added I worked 3 years for the company I linked, admittedly bringing back cars etc that were left behind and not the unfortunate people, but that said I know from personal experience they were very professional and would have no hesitation in using them for any of my elderly / sick relatives.

Edited by mrpurple on Monday 25th November 18:59

[numtumfutunch]

mrpurple said:

speaking from experience or just a guess?

ps I should have added I worked 3 years for the company I linked, admittedly bringing back cars etc that were left behind and not the unfortunate people, but that said I know from personal experience they were very professional and would have no hesitation in using them for any of my elderly / sick relatives.

Edited by mrpurple on Monday 25th November 18:59

Couple of pals worked ad hoc around their free time when they were junior docs
One was a clapologist, the other a non specific medic
Neither were consultants and neither were trained in retrieval

Id imagined it to be pretty glamorous - Lear jets and Swiss staff nurses in crisply laundered uniforms

In reality they described 10h flights with minimal turnaround on the other end to bring back a wide variety of patients ranging from the worried well to the premorbid with bog all in the way of specialist equipment

I dont know which company they worked for, Im sure your friend has a Lear and a few tidy Swiss birds

Cheers

[Fanelli]

My son was medivaced by Lear Jet from La Paz in Bolivia to Miami after a very serious accident on the death Road to Coraico a few years ago. The company were Advanced Air Ambulance in Miami. 24 hr. tel no. 1-800-633-3590 or [phone]
www.flyambu.com

Great people to deal with, you couldn't find anyone better.

Edited by Fanelli on Monday 25th November 22:15

[dgb00]

Depends what you mean by retrieval. It varies from nurse sat with you in business/first class (generally, as the seats go flatter to do CPR) all the way through to highly specialist private jets with itu facilities (intensivist & nurse crew).

I do some work for Airmed (www.airmed.co.uk). They use Learjet 35As mostly. I am happy to fly with them as they are extremely professional with well maintained kit and aircraft. Lear 35s can do Caribbean in 3 sectors I think. The biggest aircraft are with Rega in Switzerland. They fly challenger 604s. All private jets cost a fair bit to run. The guys at Airmed would be very happy to provide a quote. There is a form on their website. You can also try cega in Bournemouth.. If it is complex retrieval work them I would recommend someone who meets EURAMI specs. There are some slightly cowboy firms consisting of a bloke in. A Cessna with some kit off eBay, particularly in the USA where retrieval is common.

The crews vary with this. If you just need a doctor to provide some analgesia even a 'clapologist' can do that. If you need mobile intensive care then only specialist teams trained in advanced airway management and retrieval will do. And it isn't glamorous. No air stewardesses, no duty free and stuck in a tiny jet for hours and hours!

Good luck!

Edited for speelung. Stupid ipad.

Edited by dgb00 on Tuesday 26th November 00:01

[FUBAR]

Thanks chaps. The insurers (NatWest Medical) had two small getouts in their T&Cs (which I pointed out to them) but have been extremely helpful so far and fingers crossed will be funding the repatriation, but until the wheels touch down anything can happen. Waiting for assessment as to when my mum can be put on a plane and get her home, but she wont be getting on a commercial flight (even accompanied by a 'specialist' paramedic). If all else fails I have the info some have kindly provided