GENERAL APPROACH TO HAPE

During the mission planning phase, prioritize risk mitigation strategies and identify individuals who are at high risk of HAPE. Identify HAPE early in the disease process, as early administration of oxygen and descent of 1000m can potentially resolve symptoms. Once diagnosed, evacuation to lower altitude should be the top priority. Use pharmaceuticals and adjuncts listed above to temporize HAPE pathophysiology while coordinating evacuation. Do not delay evacuation for the aforementioned therapies.

Once diagnosed with HAPE, the roles of acetazolamide and dexamethasone have not been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of HAPE. Treatment and evacuation efforts should be aggressive.