Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro? Know how to deal with altitude sickness with tips from the National Health Service. In case someone develops symptoms during the climb, knowing what to do can help save a life and prevent life-threatening complications from happening:
Rest and Hydrate
Since altitude sickness develops within 6 to 24 hours after you’ve reached a high point or altitude, there’s plenty of time to spot the symptoms. Mild signs could go after a few hours so don’t panic. Give your body 2 days to adjust. To help you shake off the symptoms, here are some handy tips:
1. Hydrate. Drink a lot of water. Don’t reach for the alcohol, though. It could exacerbate the symptoms.
2. Don’t reach for your smokes either. Since smoking compromises your breathing, in high altitude, where the oxygen is thin, that’s not going to help you get ready to climb to the top.
3. Rest. Don’t push yourself. Give your body the time it needs to adjust. That also means no exercise. Your body is already trying to cope with the effects of the higher altitude. Doing anything more than that could tax your body and make it even more impossible for you to join the climb.
Make for Lower Ground
If the symptoms don’t abate after 24 to 48 hours, it’s time to make for lower ground. Go for 500m down. Stay there until you improve. Be forewarned, though. Some people take as much as 2 weeks to acclimate and shake off the effects of the high altitude on their systems.
By getting to a lower altitude, your body should recover from the symptoms within 2-3 days. However, if the signs are getting worse, don’t wait for the third day. Get back down the mountain immediately. Look for medical assistance when you reach a low attitude.
Oxygen Treatment
One way to ease the symptoms is to increase your oxygen intake. A bottled oxygen or portable hyperbaric chambers will work wonders. Effects, however, will be temporary. And it still won’t help your body acclimatize. That’s why going for a lower altitude is better.
Altitude Sickness Tablets
Diamox can help get your body to acclimatize better. Just be sure to consult a doctor before you take it.
Here are some of the ways you could prevent and keep altitude sickness from getting worse. Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro is a grand adventure. And knowing how to stay safe and healthy on your trek will give you the best chance of getting to the top—and getting the most out of every minute of your adventure.
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