H I M A L A Y A N M O T O R S P O R T

High Altitude Do's and Donts

High Altittude affects everyone in different ways and to a different extent. A young 25 year old who is a regular gym goer may be flat on his back at 16000ft and the man smiling down at him as he regains conciousness may be the fat, balding 45 year old on the seat next to him. When High Altitude Sickness hits, you feel a dull headache, nausea, shortness of breath and complete lack of appetite. However there are a few things one can do to avoid, or to at least lessen the effects of High Altitude on your body.

Blood Pressure

Get your BP checked by your doctor. If it is even slightly higher than normal this will get exaggerated as the ambient pressure drops once you start climbing above 12000 ft. Once we reach 16000 ft your heart will be most unhappy trying to pump against the backpressure. Consult your doctor before the event and tell him where you are going......to a bit above 17000 ft! Maybe he needs to readjust some medicinal dosages for the event.

Normally taking a Disprin after eating something in the morning will be good for even those not suffering from anything. This is dangerous for haemophilics and others with similar disorders so you must consult your physician before trying the Disprin fix incase of any adverse side effects. Disprin thins the blood and keeps the headaches away for most of the day!!! But the downside is it also slows blood clotting incase of an injury.

Asthma

Asthmatic people are advised against coming for the event. However if you are only mildly so, you may consult your doctor. It is true that as a participant you will require great amounts of oxygen as you will be exerting hard. Carrying an oxygen cylinder on board your vehicle is compulsory for all - participants, media persons and organisers. Most of the army points have oxygen and the raid is carrying along two pressurised oxygen chambers. Though this may make you feel comforted you must decide for yourself in consultation with your physician.

You should carry your own puffs etc and inform the organisers immediately if you feel any discomfort. Asthalin or some other broncho dilator too may need to be carried by you if you are an asthmatic. This is advised to be taken under qualified medical supervision.

Pulmonary and Cerebral Oedema

The major High Altitude problems manifest themselves as Pulmonary or Cerebral Oedema.

Pulmonary

Your lungs start filling up with water secreted by your own body and the already "starved for air body" now has less lung space for air as the water fills up!

Some medicines like Diamox prevent this by being diuretics. You need to go to the bathroom more often but you get rid of the excess water anyway!! However as this medication once again differs from person to person you need a medical OK before you try it.

Cerebral

Cerebral Oedema manifests itself as water retention in the brain. Speech slurs and the person walks as if drunk. ( A good reason to lay off the alcohol during the rally, as no one will have any doubts as to what the cause of your motor disorder is.) Dangerous if not treated immediately.

The cure for "Cerebral and Pulmonary oedema" is to bring the patient down to a lower altitude very very fast. Dont panic. Ask informed people which way is the best to lose altitude. Inform a Raid official immediately as he will know best the quickest route to safety.

The organisers will have access to Pressure chambers and they will be the fastest recovery method in both cases.

Dehydration

Because the weather will be cold and extremely dry you will tend to dehydrate extremely rapidly without realising it. The first indication is a dryness of the lips. You have to guard against this everyday as it hastens the onset of High Altitude Sickness.

Do's

Drink lots and lots of water. Carry a bottle all the time.

Carry a moisturiser and use it often

Dark Glasses to be worn for UV protection at all times.

Put on that warm jacket before the sun goes down.

Dress in layers ..not just one fat jacket.

Eat whenever the opportunity presents itself. You will not feel hungry but you may be very short of calories.

Carry chocolates or dry fruit all the time.

Enjoy whatever comes your way

Dont's

Dont exert unnecessarily or suddenly. Avoid running till you are fully acclimatised. By Day 6 ..maybe!

Dont smoke too much.

Dont drink alcohol at all !!!!!

Dont dress lightly just because it seems hot in the sun. The difference between sunburn and frostbite is only 30 minutes ...after the sun goes down.

Dont wander off in your vehicle alone. Always inform someone before you do. Better still, take another team with you.

Dont stand close to the edge of a road while taking pictures. The tail of a rally car looks great sliding out but it can hurt if you get hit. Use that expensive zoom to good effect from a safe distance !

Don't think that you can beat the cold, high altitude and the Himalayas - remember they have been here a lot longer than you...respect your adversary.. it is Mother nature herself ! Plan everything in great detail and you will survive.

Finally, try not to crib when the going gets tough...

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