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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After ascending to high altitude, a person has headache, nausea, dizziness, or trouble sleeping.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Headache plus nausea, fatigue, dizziness after ascent.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Worse signs: confusion, stumbling, tight chest, cough with pink froth.
Scene hazards: Worsening edema, Remote location
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stop all ascent. Have person rest sitting upright.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Note altitude and time since ascent.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hydrate with water. Avoid exertion.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If symptoms do not improve at rest — begin descent even at night if safe.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call mountain rescue or 112 if confusion, severe breathlessness, or cannot descend.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say altitude sickness — current elevation and symptoms.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — HACE and HAPE need oxygen, descent, and hospital care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Portable oxygen and dexamethasone are for trained expedition medics only.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT ascend further with symptoms — "tough it out" kills.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use sedatives or alcohol for sleep at altitude.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fit young people cannot get serious altitude sickness
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fitness does not protect against altitude illness. Rapid ascent is the main risk.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ignoring symptoms in strong hikers leading to cerebral or pulmonary edema.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lower oxygen at altitude causes fluid buildup in brain or lungs.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Mild symptoms can become life-threatening HAPE or HACE.