When a worker experiences a critical health emergency in a remote, high-risk industry, Flying Doctors Nigeria delivers swift emergency response and expert medical evacuation (medevac) solutions, ensuring timely and life-saving care.

It was a scorching day at an offshore drilling site in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The oil and gas facility was buzzing with activity when the unthinkable happened—James, a 47-year-old expatriate from the Netherlands, suddenly collapsed during a routine inspection.

His colleagues immediately raised the alarm, and within minutes, the onsite medical team arrived to initiate emergency care. Though James regained consciousness, his vitals suggested a potentially life-threatening condition rather than simple fatigue or dehydration.

A Critical Diagnosis

Consequently, James was rushed to the onsite clinic for further stabilization. Preliminary tests pointed to a suspected Acute Aortic Dissection—a severe tear in the aorta that could rupture at any moment. Given the clinic’s limited capacity to manage such a critical condition, urgent evacuation to a specialized cardiac center was the only option.

That was when Flying Doctors Nigeria was called into action.

Flying Against the Clock

Upon receiving the patient’s clinical details, our team swiftly activated all necessary medical, aviation, and administrative protocols:

• Mobilized our specialist cardiac medical team and aviation crew.
• Prepared our rotary-wing aircraft, optimizing it with advanced life-saving equipment.
• Deployed ground ambulances for seamless transfer upon landing.

Within a short time, our aircraft was airborne and safely landed on the rig’s helipad. Upon arrival, James was reassessed, stabilized, and immediately transferred onto the aircraft. Throughout the one-hour flight, our medical team closely monitored his vitals, ensuring he remained stable.

As soon as we touched down at the dock, the ground ambulance on standby received and transported him to a leading cardiac facility where he was swiftly admitted into surgery and received the advanced care that ultimately saved his life.

James survival was a direct result of the speed and efficiency of air ambulance transport—a life-saving advantage that no alternative mode of medical evacuation could match.

To learn more about our life-saving air ambulance missions, click here