High-altitude medicine

ZONE OF KNOWLEDGE

A mountain expedition should not be a "Last Minute" trip; mountains should not be underestimated, and one must prepare for contact with them. The period of several months before the planned trekking or climbing should not be wasted.

➤ Medical examination

➤ Vaccinations

➤ Dentist

➤ Insurance

➤ Emergency action plan

➤ Pre-expedition medical training

➤ Expedition first aid kit

➤ Training

➤ Medical support for the expedition

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

We start with a review of our body, i.e., visiting our family doctor or consulting with me (pre-expedition consultation).I understand that a human cannot be compared to a car, but every now and then, we also deserve a check-up; the planned trip is a good opportunity for that. Healthy individuals will confirm their good condition, while those struggling with health issues will have a chance to optimize their treatment, undergo additional tests, and obtain information on how much and what medications to take to the mountains. The examination mainly involves a conversation with a doctor familiar with the specifics of the expedition and mountain conditions.

Currently, there are no tests or examinations that could indicate whether someone will feel good at high altitude or if their acclimatization will proceed without problems. However, it is possible to plan the correct pace of gaining altitude to minimize the risk of altitude sickness.

VACCINATIONS

I recommend Certified Travel Medicine Centers.I systematically train doctors providing advice at these centers. We go there to find out what infectious diseases are present in the area of our upcoming expedition and how to protect ourselves against them. The simplest solution is to invest in a vaccination package. It is best to get vaccinated about 2 months before the trip. I shouldn't have to remind you that the best investment is in health. Just as a wise cyclist wears a helmet even though it is not mandatory, a sensible traveler gets vaccinated.

The basic, most commonly recommended vaccinations include those against viral hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, typhoid fever, rabies, and polio.

A visit to the dentist, not to mention a hospital in developing countries, can end with a hepatitis virus infection and a lifelong problem if we don't think about vaccinations before traveling. Information on anti-malaria prophylaxis can also be obtained at the recommended travel medicine centers. The doctor will check the current range of malignant mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite and advise on whether and what medications to use in the given area.

DENTIST

The aforementioned dentist will not loom over us like a dark monsoon cloud if we visit his equivalent in an office before the trip, whose professionalism is confirmed by at least a dozen diplomas hanging on the wall.A trivial toothache can ruin the most beautiful day; a village shaman with pliers from the first conquerors' expedition can waste a whole month for us.And there will definitely be no anesthesia!

INSURANCE

Returning to the car comparison, another pre-expedition investment is insurance.Here, we shouldn't spare a penny; the peace of mind it provides is priceless.A multi-day trip on the backs of crookedly smiling friends carrying us on makeshift stretchers is the brightest of the dark scenarios for an uninsure climber.

We should buy reputable insurance while carefully reading its terms. We need to invest in insurance that covers the costs of mountain rescue operations and the flight, e.g., by helicopter, of a companion (your climbing partner, expedition doctor). It is hard to act alone with a broken leg.

EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

If we are organizing the expedition ourselves, we should possess the ability to foresee and have a clear action plan in case the worst happens.

A problem in the mountain wilderness far from civilization becomes a "sprained ankle" that prevents movement. How do we contact the rescue center covering the area of our expedition? (A satellite phone in areas forgotten by God is definitely better than smoke signals). How long do rescue services need to reach us? At what maximum altitude can we expect a helicopter?

What kind of help can we count on?Will professional mountain rescuers arrive to assist us like in the Alpine regions or the Tatras, or will it rather be a Russian pilot with no first aid knowledge and his Kyrgyz assistant, who guarantee a "relatively" safe, quick, but ONLY transport? These questions cannot remain unanswered. If we are going as participants of an expedition or commercial trekking, let us be inquisitive and ask these questions to the organizers; I assure you, the answers will significantly facilitate our choice among companies operating in this developing business.

PRE-EXPEDITION MEDICAL TRAINING

Those of you who have a rich history of adventures in scouting, working with the Red Cross, and evenings spent watching MacGyver are a privileged group in the mountains, or rather, their companions are in a good situation.Practical skills are useful, so I recommend participating in pre-expedition medical training with MedEverest, both online - high-altitude first aid, and field training - rescue and survival in high mountains.The ability to provide first aid where medical services are limited, and sometimes impossible, is invaluable. In the course, besides learning how to handle a bleeding wound, a broken leg, and frostbite, you will learn how to plan acclimatization, recognize symptoms, and treat altitude sickness, as well as what should be included in an optimal mountain first aid kit.

EXPEDITION FIRST AID KIT

When packing your backpack, let’s give up one pack of freeze-dried food or a spare toiletry bag in favor of a first aid kit.Before the expedition, make sure to assemble a first aid kit, as the quality and availability of medications and medical supplies in some parts of the world leaves much to be desired.The contents of the first aid kit also serve as a business card for the trip organizer. The time for preparation will never be better, so let’s dedicate the preparation time before the expedition to important, life-critical issues!

TRAINING

The decreasing availability of oxygen with every meter of altitude means that your blood is low in oxygen, so it needs to pump more to the muscles and vital organs like the brain.

The result is an increase in blood pressure and a faster heartbeat. Prepare your body for this high-altitude challenge with the most diligent conditioning training before the expedition. Long-distance running or cycling is, in my opinion, the best. It’s worth training under the eye of an experienced coach. At altitude, however, go slowly, don’t race, and take frequent breaks.

An expedition or mountain trekking is not a chair, a remote, and a television, but active recreation- and active recreation involves more joint and muscle work than sitting at a desk. To experience high-altitude nirvana instead of muscle soreness, aching knees, and strained muscles, engage in honest training before the trip. In addition to regular training, dedicate at least one full day each week in the month leading up to your trip to hiking, running, or cycling. Try to shed any excess weight. Learn to use trekking poles, which will relieve your knees while walking on mountain trails. Don’t overload your backpack - your legs will have to carry it. If you have joint problems at sea level, don’t forget to bring proven pain relief medications and a bandage or elastic wrap.

Today's technology allows for training in high-altitude conditions at sea level using equipment called a hypoxicator. According to some scientists, endurance training in hypoxia (lack of oxygen) better prepares the body for exertion during a high-altitude expedition.

-------

DO YOU WANT TO FIND OUTMORE?

If you want to better prepare yourself 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" >>

-----

You will also learn practical knowledge about what to do in emergencies in the mountains in the online training"High-altitude First Aid" >>- designed for those planning trips to high altitudes.

-----

Meanwhile, you can find the detailed composition of the expedition first aid kit and exact instructions for preparing an expedition first aid kit and a personal rescue set in the ebook"Expedition First Aid Kit - A Complete Medical Guide" >>

ARE YOU PLANNINGTREKKINGORA HIGH-ALTITUDE EXPEDITION?

If you want to check whether your health allows you to safely participate in trekking or a high-altitude expedition, it’s worth taking advantage ofa medical consultation >>ora telemedical expedition package >>

This way, you can assess health risks in advance, prepare appropriately 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.

All rights reserved. Copying content and photos is prohibited. Information obligation before consenting to data processing.(see).

Also checkStore regulations >> Implementation: ColinMedia.eu >>