Airmedic air medical rescue for a critical emergency
Testimonial of Airmedic’s air medical rescue of Clément Fortin: Last June, Clément Fortin went to the emergency department of the Haut-Saint-Maurice Hospital Center due to partial loss of vision. A simple conjunctivitis was diagnosed. The doctor prescribed eye drops to apply from time to time, expecting a full recovery within three days at most. But the opposite happened.
Convinced that he would fully regain his vision within the next few hours, Clément went to his cabin, as he often does. His cabin is located more than 160 km into the woods. It is accessible only by train, plane, or helicopter.
Isolation, panic and distress call
Four days after his visit to the emergency room, Clément woke up in the morning unable to see beyond his feet. And unfortunately, the situation worsened by the minute. He instinctively applied the prescribed drops, hoping to relieve his condition. However, they worsened his symptoms. His eyes became hypersensitive to natural light and indoor light sources. He was unable to go outside, as the pain intensified.
Unable to seek help from neighbors, located kilometers away from his cabin, Clément, fearing he might become completely blind, managed to find his phone by touch in order to call Airmedic. However, dialing the emergency center’s number without sight became a true game of trial and error. Panic overtook him. He was alone, isolated, and dozens of kilometers from civilization.
“I woke up completely blind. Panicked, I called Airmedic and received incredible service, especially for the price it costs. Everyone should have Airmedic.” – Clément Fortin
After multiple unsuccessful attempts, Clément resigned himself to calling 911. To his great relief, he managed to dial the number, and a dispatcher answered. Reassured, he believed that help could be deployed quickly. However, after geolocating him, the dispatcher realized she could neither send him an ambulance nor a police car to bring him back. She therefore contacted Airmedic.
A precise and human coordination
Clément was therefore put in contact with a flight coordinator at Airmedic’s emergency center. Shortly after, the helicopter carrying a nurse and a paramedic took off from the Saint-Honoré service base. This was the closest base to Clément. Even so, the EC145 helicopter had a three-hour flight ahead before reaching the cabin. Clément was not worried, as the flight coordinator remained on the line with him. Every ten minutes, a member of the medical team called to assess his condition and ensure his comfort, making sure he did not suffer further while waiting for the aircraft.
Finally, Clément heard a noise in the distance. The sound grew louder and louder. Even without sight, Clément knew that the Airmedic helicopter was arriving. He knew he was in good hands.
A successful evacuation and specialized care
The Airmedic medical staff quickly took charge of Clément thanks to the air medical rescue. They found him inside his cabin and escorted him to the medical helicopter. Once the situation was under control, the helicopter took off toward Sept-Îles airport. A local ambulance was waiting for Clément directly on the runway.
Even at that moment, the Airmedic medical staff did not leave Clément. The responders accompanied him in the ambulance and stayed by his side until he was handed over to specialist doctors. Then, after a night in the hospital, Clément consulted an ophthalmologist. The diagnosis came: his lenses had been “burned,” which explained the loss of vision and light hypersensitivity.
The oculoplastic surgeon recommended surgical removal, and Clément received an intraocular implant to replace the damaged lens.
Even today, Clément’s vision has not returned to what it once was. The lenses allow him to see 98% at a distance, but he has not been as fortunate with his near vision. Nevertheless, thanks to Airmedic, Clément did not lose his sight. As a result, he can still go to his cabin on his own, fish, hunt, and live out his passions. Had he not contacted emergency services in time, and had he continued using the prescribed drops for conjunctivitis, the damage would have been permanent.
