HEART ATTACK WHILE CRUISING!

[never monday]

Originally Posted by High Cotton

That's a good question, maybe somebody in that business could tell us...... but the Cardiologist I spoke with at HOLLYWOOD REGIONAL WEST told me that the company they used, based at Fort Lauderdale Airport, has charged as much as $35,000....... it depended who was required to go along on the flight for that specific emergency such as Doctors, Nurses, Technicians, because they DO have medical equipment on-board.
We've all seen the outlandish prices charged in Emergency Rooms/Operating Rooms for surgery, etc., so it wouldn't surprise me if it is $35,000.

Going on a cruise and eating properly and exercising is a good idea, but I would think in most cases that alone would not prevent a heart attack, that condition builds up over a lifetime (and genetics).

depends on the crew/equipment needed. Most times down island you are going in a Lear or Citation jet. You could get a turbo prop in the Bahamas. The medical crew will most of the time be a minimum of an RN and an EMTP. MD's are only used as needed.
35k for USVI to TRIN. is probably a good guess. But fuel has almost doubled since I had any good contact with the industry.

[Boracay]

So what would the insurance cost?

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by High Cotton

Going on a cruise and eating properly and exercising is a good idea, but I would think in most cases that alone would not prevent a heart attack, that condition builds up over a lifetime (and genetics).

I suppose I was suggesting for people to adopt those ideas now; regardless of whether or not they are going sailing any time soon. Eating healthy, not smoking, limiting your alcohol, getting enough sleep, and regular excercise.

Beyond the fact that it will amazingly reduce your chances of needing to get a $35K airline ticket, the amount of other medical problems it helps with is also reduced.

I have asthma and lower back problems. As long as I stay in shape, they're completely at bay. Slide for even a few weeks (like when I broke my foot), and I fall back into the rut again.

But seriously, if we're going to have a thread on heart attacks, it would be pretty "solve it with a pill" attitude to just giving passing glances to the things that contribute most to your likelyhood of having a heart attack (eating, excercise, smoking, drinking, and sleeping habits).

[waterworldly]

The Jamaican hospital really DID LITTLE OR NOTHING for him, even if they wanted to his wife said they really didn't have any "qualified" doctors ......

Jamaica is a big island with big cities and hospitals to match . . . such ignorance and arrogance . . . and to think just a short distance away is a medical system that gets higher grades than the U.S. system . . . in CUBA.

[tomj]

We cruised the Abacos last year, and before we left the chesapeake, we took out "Divers Alert Network" (DAN) emergency travel insurance at the suggestion of friends who are long time Bahamas cruisers (their 6th cruise). It's inexpensive ($44.00 / year). Fortunately neither us or our friends have had to use it. You might want to reseach this insurance at DAN Divers Alert Network - Scuba Diving and Dive Safety Association . You don't need to be a diver to buy the insurance. Has anyone had to use this insurance, or had any dealings with DAN?

Good luck!

[High Cotton]

This organization was highly recommended to me, certainly a "bargain" considering what the cost is vs what they can do for you.......and they responded (according to their website) to 4,721 EMERGENCY CALLS in 2007!

I guess the point is like Rebel Heart sez, it's best to live a healthy lifestyle very early in your life, but it's also a good thing to stay informed and be prepared for ANY emergency....... the news is full of "mishaps" on the water.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by waterworldly

. . and to think just a short distance away is a medical system that gets higher grades than the U.S. system . . . in CUBA.

Off thread a little maybe, maybe not.

I read some about that claim a while back. It is still going around like some emails.

BS.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

I

it would be pretty "solve it with a pill" attitude

Surprisingly enough the "one aspirin a day" thing reduces the chances of a "heart attack" by a significant amount. 30 - 50% can't remember.

Also, immediate blood thinning (aspirin) reduces death rates quite a bit. Don't have those % sorry.

If you are old and cruise carry heparin if you can. Otherwise aspirin is cool.

For me..........I want insurance too...........but the cost will make the difference.

Cruise without or don't cruise.......................HMMMMMM!

[hellosailor]

Tom, double that fee, you have to be a DAN member to buy their members-only insurance. I've heard only good about it, with the possible exception that it covers the ill party only--not a companion.

AFAIK a medevac "cost" is based on:
Where is the nearest suitable aircraft? And crew?
i.e. do you need to go transpacific? Or just puddle jumping?
And where do you need to go? With what care in flight?

All a question of where/what/how, and I've got to think transPacific, transAtlantic, BuenosAres to Boston, Singapore to DC...all are going to be charged by the hour, with some different aircraft rates as well as the crew choices. The word "KaChing!" comes to mind.

Makes a USCG SAR evac a real bargain, doesn't it?