Altitude Sickness?

[MidwestAssault]

Thanks guys that all good info. Water is pretty well all the drink now days anyways. lol I just wondered being on local fire dept and access to my SCBA mask that if that would work while training. Thanks again for info.

Tim

 

[25contender]

I just wondered being on local fire dept and access to my SCBA mask that if that would work while training. Thanks again for info.

Tim

Not really the mask might simulate you being at altitude but as soon as you take it off that's pretty much it. I tried one years ago and found out it was better just to train as I normally do for my hunts. You would be better off doing some cardio 3-4 times a week along with your normal workouts. You cant modify your blood cell count like your body will adjust at altitude. That is why lots of water helps before and during your hunt.

 

[Extractor]

You can also try Diamox, or generically, acetazolamide. Blood doping is basically the same thing , increasing red blood cell count and therefore hemoglobin. Altitude sickness is no joke and can be fatal with cerebral edema and pulmonary edema. Above 8000 ft you need to ascend slowly to acclimate. If you have time, 1500 to 2000 ft per day. A headache or shortness of breath on exertion isn't to serious but confusion, imbalance walking or severe headache should be treated immediately with descent below 8000 ft and a trip to the doc .

 

[Extractor]

Sorry, missed a page of posts. Bottom line is altitude sickness is caused by decreased oxygen levels at higher elevations. Rolaids, increased water intake, increased fitness, or any other remedy doesn't change the atmosphere. Acclimating to higher altitudes allows your body to increase red blood cell count and total hemoglobin, this allows your body to extract and utilize all available oxygen.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I live near sea level and hope to have a productive hunt for a Sheep in WY beginning 8/15 at 9-11k. Plan to sleep at 2,500' the 12th, 6,500' the 13th, and make base camp the 14th. Probably take a moderate 1-2 mile walk each night, if I feel good. Hunted up to 9k many times, no issues, other than there is no air above about 8k, near as I can tell. That said, I have never gone quite this high this old...

Wish me luck!

 

[Extractor]

Sounds like a good plan. Take your time and you should be in great shape. Good luck on your sheep hunt. What unit will you be hunting?

 

[Tim McCoy]

Unit 6. Am as ready as I can be.

 

[d.kerri]

I've gotten altitude sickness- it's miserable. Crushing headache and bad nausea. I've read that sleeping for a few hours allows your body to acclimate for efficiently. I rolled into Peru in high school and the first thing they made us do was sleep for 2-3 hours. Last time I hunted colorado we arrived at the trailhead in the evening and slept in the vehicle over night. Neither of us had altitude issues and we're both MN flatlanders.

While hydration is definitely the key, make sure you're careful about consuming liquids that dehydrate you. Alcohol is a big one- probably best to leave it alone until you're sipping it for victory juice.

 

[HuskyMusky]

While they say physical conditioning doesn't help/avoid altitude sickness.

working less hard at altitude by being in better condition/lighter weight, can only help IMO.

Gingko Biloba is suppose to help... I however tend to get flushed from it, something like 1 in 100 experience this, lol, just my luck.

Drink water, increase altitude slowly, ie sleep at 5k feet first night if you can, then go up... i think they say eating veges/fruits and avoiding caffeine and alcohol etc... can help.

 

[Bonecollector]

The better shape one is in, the easier it is to navigate at elevations, thus making it easier on yourself, hence, breathing which translates into oxygen transportation, red blood cells, etc, etc, etc. It is not a cure all, but can help indirectly. But there is always that 1 guy.... ;-)

 

[Wyoming Hart]

And I haven't heard anyone mention this, but take some unscented chap stick! You'll thank me later!

Good advice. I learned this lesson the hard way in 2012 on my first elk hunt. Won't be making that same mistake this year, I have 3 tubes ready to go.

 

[buckbull]

Good advice. I learned this lesson the hard way in 2012 on my first elk hunt. Won't be making that same mistake this year, I have 3 tubes ready to go.

Yeah, Chapstick is a necessity for sure. Forgetting it once is all you need to never forget it again. On my first elk hunt my lips were cracked and bleeding after 6 days.

 

[RICMIC]

Chapstick isn't just for your lips; it also works on stuck zippers, Monkey Butt, and as a fire starter. After that, just use your imagination.

 

[11C50]

Another thing I find handy is nasal saline solution. My nose and sinuses alway dry out. Nice to be able to flush out the dust and sage spooge at the end of the day. It also seems to help with headaches sometimes. Chap stick, as mentioned, is mandatory.

 

[sheephunter]

I did not mention in my earlier posts, but I have found that Tylenol sinus helps me if I have an altitude headache...not a cure-all for altitude sickness, but can help if the symptoms are mild. I also take a small container of Vaseline and put some in my nostrils overnight, that helps with the drying out & nosebleeds.

 

[RICMIC]

On my first Colorado hunt over 10K, I thought I had altitude sickness. I ended up with a killer headache....but it turned out to be from caffine with-drawl as I cut out coffee on my Drs. advice. That was a quick fix. If you do decide to cut your caffine intake, then I would do that well before your trip.

 

[Extractor]

Voodoo mojo

 

[CoHiCntry]

Chapstick isn't just for your lips; it also works on Monkey Butt

So does this require a designated stick, of just use the same one you use on your lips? Any application techniques would be appreciated!

 

[RICMIC]

Thar's where the "use your imagination" comes in.

 

[Extractor]

What flavor works best on monkey butt? Banana?