Top Ten Tips to prevent altitude sickness and plan a high altitude trek - Nepal

Learn how to recognise symptoms of mild altitude sickness, as well as the potentially deadly HAPE and HACE (fluid in the lungs/brain). Plenty of advice on how to prepare for the trek, plan a safe itinerary, and what to pack. Follow our family, including our 11-year old son Lionel, on the Annapurna Circuit in winter. See how the altitude affected us as we climbed Thorong La (5,416 meters/ 17769 feet) – Kirk struggled with his breathing, Lionel felt nauseous, and I had mild hypothermia But we all made it safely in the end. SUMMARY *Watch out: some people may feel unwell as low as 2,000 meter (6,500 feet). *Plan a slower ascent above 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) *Climb high, sleep low. To be safe, only gain 300 meters (1,000 feet) in sleeping elevation at high altitude. *If you climb faster than the recommended rate, you can build a rest days every three or four days to acclimatise. *If you suffer from mild altitude sickness, drink a lot, and rest *Avoid alcohol, which slows down breathing and makes you dehydrated. Avoid sleeping pills. And smoking will certainly not help! *If you see no improvement, spend an extra night at the same altitude *If you feel worse, descend to the last place where you felt well *If you develop HAPE or HACE, this is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate descent of and specialist medical care. You may have to descend in the middle of the night, don't wait till morning. Once fluid builds up in the brain or lungs, you can die in a matter of hours. DISCLAIMER This video is based on first-hand experience of struggling with the altitude on the Annapurna Circuit. We also spent decades of travelling in the Himalayas and Alps. With three decades in TV journalism, I've also done extensive research on the impact of high altitude. I am NOT a doctor, and I do not have direct experience of taking drugs for altitude sickness like Diamox / Acetazolamide or Nifedipine for HAPE or the use of Gamow bags for hyperbaric treatment. So I have not included any information on this topic. Only sticking to what I have first-hand experience of. I hope this video helps you plan a safe and enjoyable trek. Director/video/editor: Corinne Vigniel Shot between Bulbhule and Jomsom including Bahundanda Sanjye Chame Timang Pisang Gyaru Ngawal Manang Yak Kharka Thorong Phedi Thorong High Camp Thorong La Mukhtinath Pokhara December 14-30, 2016 Shot on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Edited on Adobe Premiere CC ++All VIDEO AND PHOTOS COPYRIGHT CORINNE VIGNIEL++ MUSIC FOR TOP TEN TIPS FOR ALTITUDE SICKNESS Downloaded From YouTube creator Tip 1 training Opening_Night_Jason Farnham_dance electronic inspirational 1.50 Tip 2 Planning Cameras_ALBIS_rock inspirational 1.52 3 Gradual Ascent Keep_Dreaming_Topher Mohr and Alex Elena_Pop calm 2.52 Tip 4. Acclimatisation Don’t Look _ Silent Partner 4.25 Tip 5 Broken sleep Keep_Dreaming_Topher Mohr and Alex Elena_Pop calm 2.52.mp3 Tip 6 – Mild Altitude Sickness AMS Hot_Heat_Topher Mohr and Alex Elana_rock inspirational 3.09.mp3 7 Danger HAPE HACE So_Bueno_The 126ers_Rock inspirational 2.56 8 Food and drinks Hero_Theme_Twin Musicom_cinematic dramatic 1.42 CC credit 9. Equipment Voyeur Jingle Punks 10 Accidents / insurance + final world. Accidents_Will_Happen_SIlent Partner END