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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Emergency evacuation from Guerrero Negro
One of our family mottos is "Everything happens for a reason". When Sirenita was recovering from a difficult birthing in the Guerrero Negro hospital,
a nurse used a blood pressure cuff that was inaccurate and showed her blood pressure much higher than it really was...which caused the doctor to keep
her in the hospital another day...we were really bummed as we wanted out of there so were very glum all day...I tried to get a voluntary release but
NO GO!
About noon, a nurse came and whisked me away to the emergency room where they had just admitted Bill Gilmour who was vacationing at San Franciscito.
He had severe abdominal pain and didnt speak any spanish and no doctors or nursed spoke any english.
So I managed to help out by determining his medical history...which was very...colourful and current condition..symptoms etc. They took some X-rays
and were VERY concerned. They had no idea what the probem was...maybe burst apendics but not likely at his age...they needed to operate to see what
was going on in there but didnt want to risk it because of the shape his heart was in. Luckily a good amigo of mine..the coroner in GN took me into
the hall after seeing the xray and said "Shari, you gotta get this guy outta here...NOW cause he wont make it if you dont". Oh crap...after nearly
losing my daughter a few days back and sleeping (sort of) on the hospital floor for days...I wasn't in the best of shape to organize a life saving
effort.
But I rose to the task and began to investigate how to get Bill Medi-vac'd out of GN. He had Kaiser insurance who after an hour of phoning around said
they could send an air ambulance.
The problem was that is was then after 2:00 in the afternoon so by the time they arranged for a plane, it would have been too late...GN runway has no
lights and socks in with fog around 4:00 so he wouldnt have gotten out till the next day...keeping in mind what the coroner said...i conferred with
the patient who had been stabilized and asked what he thought of my Plan B..which was to hire a plane from GN...he gave me a thumbs up so being sunday
the office was closed and nobody had their number so I went to Capt. Chongs house to see what could be done.
His wife runs the business and she is one efficient lady. Within an hour they had a plane that could take a stretcher ready to roll... the GN doctor
gave him some more pain medecine and a new IV..I called the Red Cross who came in their spanking new fancy ambulance and Bill and his companion buddy
were in the air and TJ bound by 3:30!
They were met by another ambulance 2 hours later at the TJ airport and met at the secondary inspection station by a USA ambulance and taken to the
closest hospital. He made it and his buddy flew back the next morning to GN to retreive his car.
Some things I learned were...medi-vac air ambulances are slow to respond because they have to get clearance, planes ready etc. so unless it is
arranged before noon, the patient probably wont get flown out that day. In an emergency where time may save a life, i wouldnt hesitate to just charter
a local plane, particularly in mid baja where there are no big airports for medivac planes to fly in and out of.
Next time, I would just go straight to plan B and not waste time. The cost of the plane was 55,000 pesos or $4,500..a hefty ticket but nothing if you
can save a life...medivac was $14,000. It looks as if the insurance may pay for it too as it was a commercial airline evacuation.
So after that ordeal...we werent so glum...we were happy we were there to lend a hand. I left my card in emergency and said if they ever need help
translating to just call.
Any of you who vacation or live in mid baja might want to have Aero Guerrero Negro phone # in thier wallet by their medical info....just in case. They
could have flown right into san franciscito and saved him having to travel over that awful road in his delicate condition!
Their number is 615-157-0132 or (0137)...tell em shari sent ya!
Here is Bill and his buddy loading into the new ambulance...they dont charge but ask for a donation!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Right-on, Shari...ya done real good, Kiddo. I'm proud of you.
A curious question about his Kaiser insurance....was it Senior Advantage or a different model? I have Senior Advantage and would be really impressed
if I knew thew would pay for this or an equally expensive service.
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Oggie
Nomad
Posts: 312
Registered: 6-16-2009
Location: Carlsbad, CA/BOLA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Missing Baja
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Thanks for the story and great information.
A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.
Knights of Pythagoras
Funny how falling feels like flying
for a little while - Bad Blake
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
Member Is Offline
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Shari to the rescue ...... again.
Shari you ROCK !!! 
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karenintx
Senior Nomad
Posts: 538
Registered: 3-16-2008
Location: CSL
Member Is Offline
Mood: Living The Dream
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Shari, I am sure the family is very grateful for your service and the kindness you gave to their loved one. It is part of your DNA...you are a very
kind person and hope to meet you one day.
Just curious...what did the GN coroner see on the x-ray that concerned him so much that the doctors in the hospital didn't see?
Keep us posted if you hear from Bill. Sending him "get well" thoughts.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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I wont go into what Bill's medical history is...lets just say that the doctors and the coroner looking over their shoulder were very concerned about
Bill's heart condition and he had alot of other health probems as well.
The doctors all saw it...problem was they werent prepared to operate on a patient like that (over 70) where complications were likely to arise...plus
they really didnt know what was causing the abdominal pain...it could have been several things so they said he would have to go to a bigger hospital
like ensenada...so what the coroner suggested to me was they just get him to the states ASAP.
I havent heard from them to see what he had..hope he is OK..he was one tough guy!!
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1335
Registered: 9-2-2006
Member Is Offline
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You are amazing, girl!
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
Member Is Offline
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Do I understand correctly- Aero Guerrero Negro will land on dirt runways ?
That would be HUGE!
We maintain International Evac insurance, Binational Emergency membership, US insurance, a satellite phone since we rarely have Telcel service and
Skype is unpredictable on sat. internet, and have a few contingency plans in case of emergencies but the hitch in all of our well-laid plans is how
would we get from here in the boonies to where an evac plane could land and could we make the 3hr drive on the washboard and potholed roads to the
nearest hospital??
I never thought about using a local, or semi-local, charter service.
I've picked up some useful info on Nomad over the years, but this by far may be the most valuable ever. I can't thank you enough for your story Shari.
And I love how your coroner friend told you "you have to get this guy out of here". Nothing like a little pressure.
Buen trabajo 
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TheColoradoDude
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 2-10-2009
Location: Colorado/San Carlos, Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Paz, Amor, y Tacos de Pescado
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Your an amazing person! Bien hecho!
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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Wow! What a week you had. Good work! I have printed out the information for my wallet and also added this sting to "my favorites" in The BajaNomad.
Thank you, Shari!
Tony
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64848
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thank you Shari!
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
Member Is Offline
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There was sure some kind of Karma at work to put you near that trouble. Your valor is special in light of what you had just been through. Makes me
want to come to Assuncion and fall off a bar stool. Way my luck's been runnin' you'd be out town, the only plane around would be a bi plane owned by a
drunk from Rhyolite with the trade name of "Scary Air".
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Right-on, Shari...ya done real good, Kiddo. I'm proud of you.
A curious question about his Kaiser insurance....was it Senior Advantage or a different model? I have Senior Advantage and would be really impressed
if I knew thew would pay for this or an equally expensive service. |
I think they do - but you have to call Kaiser to make sure.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy!
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Wow, way to go shari! And good info to know as well. You're a stud!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by oladulce
And I love how your coroner friend told you "you have to get this guy out of here". Nothing like a little pressure.
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I've heard that suggestion from a few doctors here as well. When the going gets tough, they'll tell patients here, especially if they have insurance
in the states, to get up there and be attended to. The doctors are the first ones to admit to the differences in medical care between here and there.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
Member Is Offline
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Good work!!
I'll add the Aero Guerrero Negro phone # to the emergency phone number list I carry in my wallet.
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
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Dennis and others.
I am going to be very Positive and suggest that people in Baja Sur go to their Local Hopspital for care.
I have been around enough to know that Constitution has excellent Medical care and Doctors, same for La Paz. Loreto is new but coming along Great.
I know that most of you are smart enough to go in and Observe what is going on at a Hospital. Go to the General Hospital in constitution, tell them
who you are and that you want to check them out. You will be surpised!!
Now I will agree that they are Hospitals and Doctors that do not have the latest MRI"s and fancy Gadgets but the many doctors I have dealt with have
more COMPASSIONATE that many in the States.
fOR ANYONE WHO IS GOING TO LIVE IN bAJA sUR, THAT LONG WAIT AND FLIGHT BACK TO THE STATES COULD MEAN YOUR lIFE. PLEASE THINK ABOUT AND CHECK OUR ALL
THE MEDICAL Facilites.
Skeet
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Oladulce...yes, this IS big...I learned so much about air-vacs and was looking forward to sharing it with you all...especially those in the central
baja...the fish and surf camp folks. I wasnt looking for praise (but it sure feels good to get it!!) but this info could save someones life.
The fact that Aero GN is a registered airline is helpful...only drawback is if you want a doctor or medic to accompany you...you pay extra. The owners
of the company are very professional..stop by and see them at their office across the street from Malarrimo and tell em Shari sent ya! They would be
happy to answer your questions about available planes they operate.
I'm told I have pretty good bedside humour....I got Bill to smile when I told him the news about being home for dinner!!
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
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Thank you Shari for taking charge and doing that good work.
Skeet
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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Great job Shari - hope all ends well!
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