Altitude Sickness: Lessons Learned At 12,000ft. (Part 1)

A couple of weeks ago, after two months of traveling in Europe and Southeast Asia, I finally returned home to my perch at 12,000ft. in the mountains, just as I have done many times before. And just like every time before, I jumped right back into life, not giving it a second thought.

Later that evening as I headed to bed for the night, 12 hours or so after getting back, I felt myself physically wither - I started to feel a dull-but-intense headache, my joints and muscles began to ache so that I just could not find a way to lie comfortably, and I oscillated between being too hot and too cold.

Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler were the first to
reach Everest's 29,029ft. summit without the aid of supplemental
oxygen. They took 3 months to acclimatize and summit.

At first I thought I was coming down with the flu, but soon realized that I was coming up against something I had never experienced in all of my time spent at high altitude: altitude sickness, or more correctly, altitude illness.

According the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Handbook, altitude illness "results from insufficient oxygen in the blood (hypoxia) secondary to decreased barometric pressure at altitude."

I know that altitude-related symptoms can affect anyone who does not take time to adequately acclimatize no matter their level of physical conditioning, but since I had never experienced symptoms before and had maintained an active lifestyle during my travels, even traveling as high as 10,000ft. while in Europe, I honestly did not expect it to affect me when I returned.

In light of my recent humbling experience, this post will look at some ways that the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute and the non-profit group The Mountaineers recommend preventing altitude illness, with a follow up post to discuss assessing and treating altitude illness in the field.

Air Travel Health Tips: Fact vs. Fiction - Video

Getting sick when you travel is a bummer, and nothing stings worse then picking up a bug on your way to your destination. Coincidentally, there are a lot of myths about the role air travel can play in disease transmission.

The key to healthy travel, especially when air travel will be involved, is identifying misinformation and making wise choices. In the video link below, the Chief of Medicine at MIT Medical walks through some basic misconceptions about air travel health and gives a few pointers on how to protect yourself from contracting diseases en route.

Did we choose this video because of the vintage airline footage? Maybe. Did the cheesy role-playing cement our choice? Possibly. Is the amount of emphasis put on portable hand sanitizer pretty comical? Definitely.

All of that notwithstanding, when the Chief of Medicine at MIT talks, we usually listen.

Video Link: Howard M. Heller, MD on "Staying healthy during holiday travel"

On a related note, travel medical insurance might be a good idea if you are flying to an adventure somewhere off the beaten path. Oh, and don't forget your hand sanitizer.

The Adventure Community Looks At Health Insurance

In a follow up to our post on the challenge of finding health insurance for those who engage in "high risk" adventure activities such as rock climbing, here we look at a case study involving one of the most high risk activities out there today: BASE jumping.

BASE jumper prepares to launch from Christ
the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro

On November 19, 2012, professional BASE jumper Jill Kuzman had just made her 4th jump from a towering sandstone cliff near Moab, Utah, when she experienced every BASE jumper's worst nightmare - her parachute opened backwards, causing her to plummet to the desert floor. Kuzman broke her leg on impact but was lucky to have the immediate assistance of medics and doctors who were jumping alongside her that day. Her competent companions treated her as they rushed Kuzman to the hospital, minimizing the consequences of a fall that could have turned out much worse. Today, Jill Kuzman is off crutches and moving toward a full recovery.

Unfortunately, like many athletes and adventurers, Jill Kuzman did not have health insurance coverage at the time of the incident and quickly racked up $120,000 in medical bills. Friends pitched in and Kuzman herself reached out on Facebook for donations to help offset her cost, bringing in close to $10,000 toward her bills, but a majority of her expenses still remain.

Not long after Kuzman's incident something of a firestorm, focused on uninsured BASE jumpers and adventure seekers, erupted on BASEjumper.com, with some contributors voicing support, others exasperation that someone would engage in such high risk activities uninsured, when accidents are so likely to occur. In his article The Adventurer's Health Insurance Conundrum on National Geographic's Adventure Blog, James Mills outlines the argument that unfolded on the site and examines some of the points that were brought to light, which adventure-seekers across a number of sports must grapple with.

Mammut's New Protective Airbag for Avalanche Safety

Mammut's PAS adds neck, chest, and head
protection to avalanche suffocation protection

Introduced at the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show that just finished a few days ago in Salt Lake City, the Snowpulse PAS (Protective Airbag System) improves on Swiss manufacturer Mammut's existing RAS (Removable Airbag System) airbag by adding trauma-specific protection.

According to varying reports, mechanical trauma (running into things or being pushed into hard objects) accounts for between 15 and 32 percent of avalanche deaths, something the PAS seeks to address.

As a follow up to our dispatch on avalanche safety (an important consideration for anyone engaged in snow sports in the backcountry), we wanted to direct readers to Outside Online's write-up about the new Snowpulse PAS - Mammut Introduces New Protective Airbag Packs at Outdoor Retailer

Read the Outside article to learn more about the specific benefits the Mammut PAS offers and to see a side-by-side comparison of the PAS and RAS airbags.

Coverage For Your Travels? Thoughts On Travel Medical Insurance

Recently, Outside magazine's Adventure Advisor tackled the question of "Should I Buy Travel Medical Insurance?"

The Adventure Advisor offers advice on when to get insurance, why you should consider it, and where to shop for appropriate coverage.

In a related post, adventurers who enjoy "riskier activities" can learn more about the ins-and-outs of life insurance coverage that fits their lifestyle - If You Climb... Life Insurance For Climbers

Outside Magazine Survival Guide - Video

Peruse this collection of tips, stories, videos, and skill sessions for some essential outdoor survival know-how from Outside Magazine - The 'Outside' Guide to Survival.


Here is their video on fire starters:


In addition to being fun reads and helpful refreshers, this collection of survival skill tutorials and reports might teach a thing or two that could help you out in a pinch.

Whenever you are traveling off the beaten path, it is important to be prepared for the unexpected. During the winter season, being prepared and in control of your situation is even more important, as conditions can turn quickly and can become a significant safety factor.

If You Climb... Life Insurance For Climbers

Whether a weekend warrior or semi-professional adventurer, securing adequate insurance is worth looking into. Everything from basic rescue policies all the way up to life insurance are available, but having a conversation with an underwriter if you ARE an active adventurer (such as a climber) can be intimidating.

The National Geographic Adventure Blog's article "Risky Business: Life Insurance for Climbers" sheds some light on the process and conversations involved in securing a policy.

This useful feature will help prepare you in advance and give some pointers on how to navigate the perplexing waters of insurance coverage, allowing you to get back to doing what you love.

Backcountry Safety: Avalanche Awareness

Winter is almost upon us, and that means getting out and enjoying the snow. 

Whether snowmobiling in the Rockies, skiing in the Alps, or enjoying winter hiking and camping somewhere in between, one thing that is important to keep in mind when out in the backcountry is the potential for an avalanche.

The first step to backcountry avalanche safety is to get informed. 

The following websites are great places to start:

• National Ski Patrol: Backcountry Avalanche Safety - What to know before you go, once you're there, and some general rules of the road.
• Avalanche Safety Tutorial - A brief tutorial from the American Avalanche Association.
• Forest Service National Avalanche Center: Avalanche Awareness Website - More in-depth information about avalanche safety for skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, and snowmobilers.

Once you are informed, make sure to get equipped. Having the right gear in an avalanche can mean the difference between life and death.

Ortovox - Specializing in avalanche safety gear, Ortovox has a long history and continues to be one of the best avalanche-safety outfitters around.

Mammut - One of the oldest outdoor outfitters around, Mammut manufactures essential avalanche safety items.

REI: Choose an Avalanche Transceiver - Use this guide to help choose the right transceiver for you.

Enjoy the wilderness this winter, but make sure to be educated and equipped when you do.

Safety and Situational Awareness - Video

Travel can take us to exciting, new places - places we're compelled to explore, places we can't wait to experience. Ninety-nine times out of 100, the trip turns out just as we hoped it would, from beginning to end. We come away refreshed, invigorated, and enthusiastic about the next time we'll be able to steal away for another excursion.

However, it only takes the slightest unforeseen event to quickly remind you that you are in an unfamiliar environment, which, if unprepared, can lead to panic. 

All three of the following resources provide valuable insight to help you make your travels as safe as possible, no matter what might arise:

Planning Your Escape Route - This is a good article to consider when planning hiking trips and outdoor expeditions.

A Practical Guide to Situational Awareness - A bit more in-depth and probably overkill for most travelers, this Stratfor article gives a comprehensive overview of situational awareness, which is particularly valuable for international travelers.