PRE-MISSION PLANNING AND RISK MITIGATION

Risk factors for HAI include: rapid ascent; highest altitude obtained; highest sleeping altitude; history of prior HAI; particularly a history of HACE and HAPE; obesity; recent acclimatization; overexertion; and cold weather exposure.5

PRE-MISSION EDUCATION

During pre-mission planning and briefings, it is imperative for supporting medical officers and medics who will be going on the mission to educate themselves on the signs and symptoms of altitude illnesses. Such education should focus on prevention, identification of other members on the mission, signs, symptoms, and treatments. Additional focus should be on teammate-to-teammate recognition with early identification the upmost importance.

Ascents should be limited to 500m for sleeping/camp each night past 3000m. This is important for mission planning and education for commanders. Ascending too rapidly will put forces at risk for non- acclimatization.