Comprehensive list of medical materials to address high altitude illness (HAI), including acute mountain sickness (AMS), high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).

Basic Medical Equipment

  1. Stethoscope
  2. Blood Pressure Cuff
  3. Pulse Oximeter
  4. Thermometer
  5. Portable Oxygen Cylinders
  6. Oxygen Masks and Nasal Cannulas
  7. Sphygmomanometer

Medications

  1. Acetazolamide – For prevention and treatment of AMS.
  2. Dexamethasone – For severe AMS and as a life-saving measure for HACE.
  3. Nifedipine – For treatment of HAPE.
  4. Salmeterol – To reduce the risk of HAPE in susceptible individuals.
  5. Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen – For headache relief and inflammation reduction.
  6. Ondansetron – For nausea and vomiting.
  7. Iron Supplementation (oral and/or IV) – To lower Pulmonary hypertension
  8. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (tadalafil, sildenafil) – For those individuals not a candidate for Nifedipine treating HACE

Supplemental Oxygen and Related Supplies

  1. Portable Oxygen Concentrators
  2. Oxygen tanks
  3. Oxygen Regulators
  4. Oxygen Masks with Reservoir Bags
  5. Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) Resuscitators

Monitoring Equipment

  1. Portable Capnography Devices – For monitoring carbon dioxide levels in exhaled air.
  2. ECG Monitors – For monitoring cardiac activity, especially in patients with pre-existing heart conditions.

Emergency Equipment

  1. AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
  2. Ventilators – For severe cases requiring assisted breathing.
  3. Rescue Sleds – For evacuating patients from high altitudes.

Miscellaneous Supplies

  1. Hydration packets
  2. IV Fluids and Administration Sets – For hydration and medication administration.
  3. Pressure Bags – To assist in rapid IV fluid administration.
  4. Thermal Blankets – To maintain body temperature and prevent hypothermia.
  5. Hyperbaric Chambers or Portable Altitude Chambers – For rapid treatment of HAI symptoms.
  6. Nutrition

Documentation and Reference Materials

  1. Field Manuals – Including guidelines on recognizing and managing HAI.
  2. Patient Assessment Forms – JTS Altitude Emergencies Documentation Form
  3. Lake Louise AMS Score card

Pre-Mission Education Tools

  1. Educational Pamphlets and Posters – On the signs, symptoms, and prevention of HAI.
  2. Training Videos – Covering altitude illness prevention and treatment.

Personal Protective Equipment

  1. High-Altitude Clothing – To protect medical personnel and patients from harsh weather conditions.

Prevention and Preparedness

  1. Acclimatization Protocol – Guidelines for gradual ascent and prevention of rapid ascent.
  2. Buddy System Implementation – For monitoring and early identification of altitude illness symptoms.

 

This list provides a framework for medical personnel to prepare for and manage altitude emergencies in prehospital settings.

For additional information including National Stock Number (NSN), refer to Logistics Plans & Readiness (sharepoint-mil.us)