Jet Rescue flies home a critically ill UK patient from Cancun

Cancun, Mexico – In April 2010 Jet Rescue Air Ambulance transported on one of its air ambulances an UK tourist that had experienced serious medical problems while on a dream vacation in Cancun, Mexico.

The patient was diagnosed with the Guillain-Barre syndrome. The Guillan-Barre syndrom is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks itself. This specific syndrome can occur at any age, but is most common in people between ages 25 and 50.

The Guillain-Barre syndrome causes inflammation that damages parts of nerves. This nerve damage causes tingling, muscle weakness, and paralysis. The inflammation usually affects the nerve's covering. Such damage is called demyelination. Demyelination slows nerve signaling and damage to other parts of the nerve can cause the nerve to stop working. Immediate treatment is required.

Both Cancun doctors and family decided it was better for the patient to be transported back to the UK in order to receive adequate medical care. As always it was important for Jet Rescue that the patient and its family did not get confronted with the burden of all the bureaucracy, paperwork and hassle that comes with an air ambulance transport. In Mexico the language and especially the cultural barrier can cause big delays and frustration to the patient and its family.

The Jet Rescue Air Ambulance multilingual flight coordination department made all the necessary arrangements to fly this patient back home, bedside to bedside. It sadly enough does not take much for your dream vacation to turn into a nightmare. Jet Rescue Air Ambulance always stresses for people to check if they are covered for air ambulance transportation when travelling abroad.

With the rising cost of medical fees overseas, foreign facilities not accepting US or European Insurance and sometimes sub standard medical care it is important to buy a decent travel protection plan.

A few preventative steps you should take before you actually go on your dream vacation;
- Get a travel insurance that covers medical cost & evacuation.
- Ask your insurance company if there is a manual with standard procedures in case of emergencies such as an accident/illness.
- Always have the 24h emergency phone number on you (this might be the phone number of an assistance company in case the insurance company outsourced this activity).