(NewsNation) — Demand is surging for a U.S. rescue organization’s services as thousands of Americans seek to leave Israel during the country’s ongoing conflict with Iran.

“In the rescue game, every day’s an adventure. Most of us haven’t slept in three or four days, including myself,” Bryan Stern, founder of Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Thursday while updating his group’s efforts to get Americans to safety.

He said about 5,000 “pretty desperate” travelers have asked for assistance in exiting Israel as the U.S. State Department urges people not to travel to the Holy Land.

“I do agree with the State Department — it’s time for everyone to go,” Stern said. “The situation’s going to get worse, not better. The risk is certainly increasing, not decreasing. … You could always come back.”

Because airspace is restricted, Stern’s organization, which is staffed by military veterans like himself, must make arrangements by land or sea for the evacuations. The latter option is not optimum, he said.

“Maritime operations are hard, and I’m not really a fan of them, to be frank. Bad things happen on the water. Engines break. People get sick. People drown,” Stern said. “The land and the air are far safer and more forgiving.”

For information about how to help support Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, check out the organization’s website.