Actually, the guide said 4 to 5 hours!!! As Bill's 'climber babe/tent mate' , I can attest that this is how is happened. John is a great guy and you could see his recovery as we got lower in altitude and got him moving. Also, that he is in decent shape, so for him to request help with windpants, crampons, etc indicates that there was definitely some disorientation going on.
Like Bill said, I don't know what giuding ethics require in this kind of situation but, just as a decent human being it seemed reprehensible.