there have been a number of helicopter evacuations since coming to the aid post this season. we’ve had patients with altitude sickness, tuberculosis, potential heart attacks, and more. for whatever reason, it’s quite the event for the town of manang. all the locals want to help carry the stretcher from the clinic to the helicopter pad. the doctors enjoy the atmosphere, as well, as it is quite the social gathering. (of course, we would rather not have people be so sick that they need an evacuation by helicopter).
a helicopter evacuation in nepal can be more difficult than
your typical medical transfer in the united states. at home, if someone is severely sick outside
of the hospital, we call a helicopter or an ambulence. here, if the patient is too sick to walk/ride
a pony the five-six days back to besisarhar where they can get a bus to
kathmandu, they fly out on helicopter.
now, arranging a helicopter flight can be a lengthy process, and one’s
ducks must be in a row before the helicopter will leave kathmandu or
polkhara. weather is also an issue. the sky must be clear, it must be daylight,
and the winds cannot be too high.
we have been so lucky this season because every one who has needed a helicopter evacuation has gotten just that, a helicopter evacuation. so, today, i am thankful for successful helicopter evacuations and really good travel insurance. :)
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