High-altitude medicine

ZONE OF KNOWLEDGE

Preparation before the expedition, including planning the logistics of the rescue operation, helps maintain calm in a threatening situation. Repeat like a mantra:

"Stay calm and do not cause panic."

SAFETY FIRST

In the event of an accident, the most important thing is to ensure the safety of the injured and the rest of the group. Choose, if possible, a safe place where you will wait for help.Remember that help will not arrive immediately – the waiting time may be several hours or even days.

BE A PRUDENT RESCUER

A good rescuer is a living rescuer. First assess the situation, then gather the information to pass on to the rescue services.

INFORMATION TO PASS ON TO THE RESCUE SERVICES

When contacting rescuers, provide:

➤ Location of the incident

➤ Type of accident (fall from height, hypothermia, fall into a crevice, etc.)

➤ Potential dangers for rescuers (e.g., crevices, avalanches)

➤ Access to the injured

➤ Number of injured persons

Contact the rescue services if they operate in the area.If not, an alternative may be helicopter transport to the nearest hospital. The sooner you establish contact, the sooner you will receive help.

Tip: Before the expedition, establish a way to contact the rescuers. When reporting, always start with the location so that if the call is interrupted, the rescuers can easily find you.

CARE FOR THE INJURED

If there is more than one injured person, take care of the most severely injured while ensuring the others stay warm.

Useful equipment:

➤ Thermal insulation blankets – silver side towards the injured

➤ Rescue sleeping bags / survival bags

➤ Large black plastic bags (as insulation)

➤ Survival tent

Minor injuries, such as scrapes, can wait. Life-threatening situations or loss of vital functions, such as lack of breathing, require immediate assistance. In this situation, the knowledge from the first aid course you took before the expedition will be useful.

PREPARATION FOR HELICOPTER LANDING

If you expect a helicopter, prepare a landing site:

➤ Designate a flat area – about 100 steps in diameter

➤ Draw a large letter H – use heavy, colorful objects (backpacks, rocks), light ones may be blown away by the wind

➤ Position one person outside the landing area, facing away from the wind, with arms raised to resemble the letter Y

➤ Do not approach the helicopter without the crew's permission – accidents happen in pairs

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WANT TO LEARNMORE?

If you want to better prepare health-wise for trekking or a high-altitude expedition, you can find the extended version of the guide in the ebook"High-altitude Medicine in Practice – a guide for trekking and expeditions" >>

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You can also learn practical knowledge about how to act in emergency situations in the mountains through the online training"High-altitude First Aid" >>– designed for those planning trips to high altitudes.

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Meanwhile, you can find a detailed list of expedition first aid kits and exact instructions for preparing an expedition first aid kit and personal rescue kit in the ebook"Expedition First Aid Kit – a complete medical guide" >>

PLANNINGA TREKORA HIGH-ALTITUDE EXPEDITION?

If you want to check if your health allows you to safely participate in a trek or a high-altitude expedition, it is worth taking advantage ofa medical consultation >>ora telemedicine expedition package >>

This way, you can assess health risks in advance, prepare adequately for the trip, and increase safety while at altitude.

The company was established in 2004. The goal of MedEverest is education in the field of mountain medicine and the dangers of high altitudes. I deal with all medical aspects of staying at high altitude. I organize medical support for trekking and high-altitude expeditions.

Specialist Medical Practice Medeverest Robert Szymczak based in Gdańsk (80-360), at ul. Bolesława Krzywoustego 19F, NIP: 5841943576, REGON: 220148318.

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