High Altitude Extreme

Environment

By Ileana Pai

Environmental conditions

• Altitude is defined on the following scale:

High 8,000 - 12,000 ft.Very High 12,000 - 18,000 ft.Extremely High 18,000+ ft.

• There are alternating daily extremes of climate change, winds are often strong and humidity low, resulting in

rapid dehydration.  Second, the air pressure is lower and

humans have difficulty breathing.

Maximum Time Humans Can Cope

There is no way to determine the amount of time that a human can survive at a high altitude. Survival is on an individual basis and it

all depends on their age, sex, physical condition.

Limits Humans Can Endure

• Most people can go up to 8,000 feet (2,438

meters) with minimal effect

• People are able to climb higher if their

bodies have adjusted to high altitudes

Effects OnHumans

Immediate Effects:• Hypervenelation• Fluid loss• Increase in heart

rate• Lowered stroke

volume• High blood

pressure in the lungs

• Symptoms similar to a really bad hangover

Longer Term Effects• Lower lactate

production• Compensatory alkali

loss in urine• Decrease in Plasma

volume• Higher concentration of

capillaries in skeletal muscle tissue

• Right ventricular hypertrophy

• Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction

Three Body Systems Most Affected

The three body systems most effected by high altitudes are the respiratory system, the nervous system, and

the cardiovascular system.

High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (H.A.P.E.)

• Develops after 2 or 3 days at altitudes above

2300 m.• Dangerous build-up of

fluid in the lungs that prevents the air spaces

from opening up and filling with fresh air.

• Can be fatal within hours• Produce white or pink

frothy sputum• Breathless at rest

• Temperature may be elevated

• Must evacuate to a lower altitude

• Impossible to predict who will get H.A.P.E.

• If you have had H.A.P.E. you are more likely to get

it again• Chest infections or vigorous activity while

climbing makes you at a higher risk of getting

H.A.P.E.• Lips turn blue

High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (H.A.C.E.)

• Build up of fluid in the brain causing it to swell• Severe headache, vomiting, and lethargy will progress

to unsteadiness, confusion, drowsiness, and lastly, a coma

• Can kill in only a few hours• 1% of people above 3000 m. get H.A.C.E.

• The faster the assent and the higher the altitude increases ones chance of getting H.A.C.E.

• The cause of H.A.C.E. is unknown• Decent is the most effective treatment but a gamow bag can be used, oxygen, and the drug dexamethasone

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

• Common at high altitudes• 75% of people have mild symptoms

• Occurrence of AMS is dependet upon the elevation• Starts between 12-24 hours

• Headache, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nausea, disturbed sleep, and a general

feeling of malaise• AMS is considered to be a neurological problem cause

by changes in the central nervous system• Decent is the only cure but the drug diamox can help

you breathe faster to get more oxygen

Proper Clothing and Special Equipment

Required

Gamrow Bag Tents Food and water Lightweight cook

wear Knives

Insulated clothes & shoes

Picks and harnesses Toiletries Matches or fire starter First aid kit