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Safety Precautions For Winter Vacations
By Gerry Watkins
Travel to high elevations can be a wonderful escape if you observe certain precautions, but failure to plan ahead could turn your mountain winter holiday into a disaster.
At 10,000 feet, air contains only two-thirds of the oxygen volume as at sea level. Air pressure at sea level easily forces available oxygen through the thin lining of your lungs into the bloodstream. Higher elevations contain less air pressure and available oxygen has a hard time penetrating lung walls.
At least 40% of mountain visitors experience some effects from high altitudes. For some, it's no more than mild shortness of breath, but others may develop flu-like symptoms which indicate they are experiencing Acute Mountain Sickness. Symptoms include: headaches, nausea, dizziness, apathy, loss of appetite, and drowsiness. Some may find it difficult to sleep through the night. In severe cases patients may also experience congestion, even difficulty with thought processes.
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Still others may develop a rare condition known as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), similar to pneumonia. Fluid collects in the lungs, causing breathing difficulty accompanied by a cough. This illness is serious, and if not treated, can lead to death. HAPE seems to occur more during winter months, probably because summer visitors come to relax more than to party. HAPE can occur regardless of age or health, and seems to attack men more than women. These mountain illnesses develop within the first few days of arrival and should disappear as your body adjusts to the altitude, anywhere from three days to three weeks.
How can a traveler avoid these illnesses? First of all, if you are susceptible to respiratory illnesses, or if you have a history of heart, circulation, or lung problems, see your doctor before planning a trip to high country. He might prescribe Diamox or a similar medication, and will give instructions for using it. Follow his instructions carefully. If you have serious problems You should stay on lower elevations.
Begin your battle against mountain illnesses before you leave home. Build endurance with a sustained exercise program approved by your physician. Whenever possible, break your trip by gradually ascending over a period of several days so your system can adjust to the altitude by degrees.
Take plenty of fluids as soon as you start climbing to higher elevations. Plan to take it easy the first day or two. Stop frequently for rests. Avoid taking sleeping pills, narcotics and alcohol, at least the first few days, because they can escalate mountain illness symptoms.
Finally, if you suspect ear or respiratory infection, see a doctor at once. If symptoms continue to escalate, or if you can't get the symptoms under control, move to a lower elevation immediately.
Some skiing holidays are very short, so you might not be able to take all these precautions. Do everything you can to prepare for the trip, and once you arrive, be on the alert for any or all of these symptoms and take whatever measures are necessary in order to enjoy the time you spend there and return home in good shape.
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Gerry Watkins. Webmaster, www.sundancerswest.com
Editor: Sundancer’s West, A magazine That Explores The West and Borders Beyond Straight From The Horse’s Mouth, a free travel newsletter that focuses on The West but also goes Beyond Those Borders. Author: Great Grub: Feast on Cajun Food: Available at http://www.sundancerswest.com/cook.html/
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