Sunday, September 25, 2011

Medical Evacuation from Labadee

Good morning,

When an accident occurs or someone becomes ill while on a cruise, a medical evacuation may be necessary.  That's just what happened recently aboard Freedom of the Seas on our way to Labadee, one of Royal Caribbean's private islands in the Caribbean.

Following is a short video of the arrival of the helicopter while the ship was tied up in Labadee:



The helicopter landed on the dockside for safety reasons rather than on the helipad on the bow of the ship.
One of the ship's fire emergency teams was on stand-by in case of emergency.
The entire process went quickly and smoothly.
Labadee is a beautiful tropical island for a vacation, but there is no specialized medical care here.
Freedom of the Seas has a hospital with a staff of two doctors and three nurses, but for specialized care, patients are evacuated.
If the ship is close to a port where there is a hospital, the ship may divert from its itinerary to land the patient there.  Sometimes the US Coast Guard will come out to the ship near a port to pick up a patient. An evacuation by air is another alternative.
It took about thirty minutes for the entire process of the arrival of the helicopter, loading of the patient, and take off.
The patient was taken to Miami, Florida...
...where she was transferred to a medical jet that took her to a hospital in her home town.
And, off she goes...
...soon to be in the care of her doctor at home.
We understand she is doing well.

Every cruise is different.

Best,
Lois


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15 comments:

  1. fabriquefantastiqueSeptember 25, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    I dare not think how much that operation costs...

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  2. SherrySeptember 25, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Amazing. I hope the patient will be okay.

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  3. TexWisGirlSeptember 25, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    that has got to be a terrifying experience for the patient and her family/friends. thank goodness there are means these days to avoid being 'stranded' at sea.

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  4. MontanagirlSeptember 25, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    Wow - hope all is well with the patient. Bet that costs a pretty penny.

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  5. DianaSeptember 25, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    Wow Lois I had no idea there was a hospital, doctors and nurses on board. Thats really amazing. I am glad to hear that the woman was alright. Love Di ♥

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  6. Yogi♪♪♪September 25, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Kind of scary but I'm glad help was available.

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  7. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    The photographs are amazing and this looks realllly rich :)

    I hope that lady is fine now...

    Cheers,
    Chintan

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  8. Beatrice P. BoydSeptember 25, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Thanks for sharing, Lois. It went to show that there are some downsides to being in such a beautiful place, i.e., no adequate medical facilities. Glad to read the transported passenger is doing better.

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  9. KarenSeptember 25, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    how exciting!! though not for the lady of course.....
    thanks for the tip about the glasses, I will look into that.

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  10. Bob BushellSeptember 25, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    It is a good operation, well done you lot.

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  11. RoseSeptember 25, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    I would hate to be far away from home and end up sick.

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  12. MicheleSeptember 25, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    I'm glad she is doing well. What an interesting process. That's a long way to go if you aren't feeling well. It could be a long way to go if you are feeling well too! I hope you are enjoying your cruise!

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  13. ElaineSeptember 26, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    That's sure to spoil your vacation, especially when you get the bill. Still, I'm sure she and her family were grateful that such services exist to get her home safely.

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  14. AnonymousSeptember 26, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    I hope the patient is ok. Sad beginning to their long awaited trip! Yes, I hope the trip is covered by Insurance! ...debbie

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  15. GunnSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    Great action shots!
    Great documentary!
    Good to know that help can be reached.

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