Sep
11
When the body slowly adapts to lower oxygen levels the process is called acclimatisation. Different people acclimatise at different speeds, so no rule works for everyone, but there are good guidelines.
- Over 3,000m go up slowly, sleeping no more than 300m higher at the end of each day. Going higher during the day is ok as long as you go down to sleep (“walk high – sleep low”). If you go up higher and can’t descend – take a rest day to allow your body time to ‘catch up’. This may seem very slow, and some people will comfortably be able to go up much faster, but in a group someone will always be the slowest to acclimatise – and the timetable should be made to keep them healthy.
- A rest day scheduled after every 2 to 3 days will also help.
- Driving or flying to high altitude means more people will suffer from AMS. It is really sensible to find out about the height of your planned route before you travel. Better still, make a drawing to show the height that you will sleep at each night. If you don’t know – ask. There’s no better way to spot the days which are likely to cause altitude illness.
Read more in our High Altitude Medicine section
Sep
02
In 1991 some doctors interested in mountain medicine saw a young, fit climber die on the Mera La. The doctor with him knew little about the risks of severe altitude mountain sickness. The tragedy inspired the doctors to study altitude illness and share this information with others.
Since the early 1990s members of Medical Expeditions have, along with others, been busy studying mountain medicine. They have done their best to improve the knowledge of doctors responsible for, or advising, people travelling at altitude.
This section looks at the effects that travelling at altitude can have on your body and aims to help you to understand why you may not feel well or get ill. It suggests ways to avoid illness and suggests what you should do if you get an altitude related illness. Our own experiences and real cases have been used as examples. The deaths on the Mera La were caused by going to high altitude, but both could have been avoided had simple rules been followed.
The following is a brief look at the fascinating study of High Altitude Medicine. This information is only meant as a rough guide to help you prepare for and have a safe, fun amd exciting trip in the Himalayas.
READ MORE IN OUR HIGH ALTITUDE MEDICINE SECTION
