Global Rescue | The Ultimate Backup Plan for the Globetrotting Angler

Yes, I've used Global Rescue more than once, but my first experience really solidified my commitment to the service. I was living in the Bahamas and running a fishing lodge. After a storm, I was cleaning up and preparing to get back to business when I noticed a bite on my hand. It looked bad, so I showed it to my girlfriend at the time, and we agreed it wasn’t great. The next morning, my thumb was bright red, with a streak going up my arm and a small hole. I called Global Rescue, expecting just to use their medical concierge to figure out what I needed.

The experience was fantastic. The paramedic who answered diagnosed me over the phone and asked if I could text pictures of the bite. He said he would get an infectious disease doctor involved and promised to call me back. He called me back even sooner than expected, and a plan of action was in place. I was in Abaco, and the closest hospital was in Nassau, but I told him I wanted to fly back to the United States. He said they would take me wherever I needed to go. They arranged for me to fly back to North Carolina, where I would receive treatment. When I landed, the same Global Rescue team member reached out to check on me and informed me that my medical records had already been sent ahead to the University of North Carolina Hospital. The hospital was prepared, and I received immediate care. I spent the night there, and once I was home, the same person followed up to ensure I was recovering well. The whole experience, spanning multiple countries and involving flights and medical care, was seamless and impressive.

 

Yes, I’ve traveled extensively, especially before I had Global Rescue. In one particular case, a friend stepped on a snake while we were camping in the Bolivian jungle. I was on a satellite phone with my wife, asking her to Google venomous snakes of Bolivia as we tried to figure out how serious the situation was. It was a nerve-wracking moment, and having access to a service like Global Rescue could have made a big difference.

 

What sets Global Rescue apart for me is that they can get you from the point of injury, not just from the airport. Most travel medical evacuation services require you to reach an airport first, which could take a day if you’re deep in the jungle. That’s pretty useless in an emergency. Global Rescue's ability to reach you where you are makes all the difference.

Another time I needed their help wasn’t for a medical emergency but for a security situation. I was in Venezuela filming when Hugo Chavez died. The political unrest escalated quickly, and we found ourselves deep in the jungle in a country with civil unrest growing. While Global Rescue didn’t evacuate us, they helped us reroute our travel to make it safer to get home. This combination of medical and security services makes Global Rescue invaluable, especially for someone like me, who often operates in remote locations. For clients on remote trips, Global Rescue is a requirement, and I always preemptively share my itinerary with them so that they’re aware of our plans in case something goes wrong.

 

The process is straightforward. First, you need to be able to communicate, whether via cell phone, satellite phone, or even Starlink. When you call Global Rescue, you’ll speak to a person right away—no call centers or endless transfers. From there, they jump into action whether you need medical help, security advice, or evacuation support.

 

I think of fishing as a game of percentages, where every small improvement increases your chances of success. Similarly, Global Rescue is all about risk mitigation. It doesn’t mean you can take unnecessary risks, but it gives you peace of mind that you’re not entirely dependent on yourself or locals in remote places. For me, that peace of mind is invaluable.

For most people, using Global Rescue will be uneventful, just a reassurance that everything’s taken care of. But when you need it, whether it's getting a doctor on the phone or ensuring you get the right treatment, it’s there. When you’re chasing that big fish or organizing a complex trip, not having to worry about potential emergencies is huge.

For those who are hesitant about the cost, I’d say that when you factor in the expenses of travel, boats, and trips, the price of Global Rescue is a small, worthwhile investment for such an important security blanket.

 

I keep an annual policy because I travel frequently, and it covers my whole family, which is cost-effective. Most of my clients, however, opt for weekly or trip-specific coverage for things like a fishing trip or a ten-day adventure. While I don’t know anyone else who has an annual policy like mine, it’s available, and for those who travel often, it’s a great option.

 

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I became a member in 2016. As a fly fishing author and an IGFA Lifetime Member and world record holder, I travel extensively to remote locations around the world. Knowing that I can rely on Global Rescue for medical assistance if needed is reassuring. In early 2017, I developed a respiratory infection while fishing in Oman. I then traveled to the Bahamas, where my condition worsened. I contacted Global Rescue, shared my symptoms and medical records, and was impressed with the attention I received. They connected me to a medical clinic on Deadman's Key, where I was treated with a ventilator and medication. The care I received in such a remote location was invaluable. In 2019, I added a travel insurance policy for a trip to Kamchatka, and I now rely on Global Rescue for both medical and security services. I also find their risk assessments of crime or political issues helpful before traveling. Although I haven't signed up for it yet, I’m interested in their concierge doctor service, especially as it’s becoming harder to get immediate medical attention.

I haven't used any other similar services. While I've had travel insurance before, the level of care and attention to detail that Global Rescue provides goes far beyond what I’ve experienced elsewhere.

Yes, before Global Rescue was around, I contracted Dengue twice in the 1990s—once in Kenya and once in Belize. I also faced other medical issues in Belize without proper access to diagnosis. Though I survived these situations, I would have greatly appreciated the support of a service like Global Rescue.

I highly recommend it for anglers, even if they're not going super off the grid. The peace of mind knowing that you can get medical evacuation to a suitable facility in a worst-case scenario is priceless. Whether you're on a remote fishing trip or just traveling, it's a safety net worth having.

For international travel, the ability to access travel alerts on their website is incredibly useful. It lets you stay informed about political unrest, safety issues, and other risks in the areas you're visiting—something I’ve found invaluable during my travels.