Kilimanjaro National Park

Lowering of the body’s core temperature results in hypothermia.

Because damp or perspiration-soaked clothes means that the cold will now be hidden beneath your layers of clothing, which will cause your body temperature to drop.

Hypothermia can be avoided with proper layering of garments made of moisture-wicking material. Prevention is also important.

The victim is treated by being taken to a shelter, having all wet clothing removed, and being made warm (ideally by putting them both within two or three sleeping bags).

Since the name suggests the condition is frequently seen at unusually high altitudes, such the summit area of Mount Kilimanjaro, it is also known as “Altitude Sickness.” This is a relatively frequent problem, and since 3 out of 4 hikers experience some degree of altitude sickness, it’s crucial to understand the condition and take appropriate precautions.

The quantity of oxygen molecules in each breath decreases as altitude rises, which is the cause of “AMS” (altitude sickness). At roughly 12000 feet (3600 m), there are about 40% fewer oxygen molecules every breath, therefore altitude sickness results from the body’s slow response to the decreased oxygen.

The symptoms of altitude sickness, sometimes known as “AMS,” include headaches, nausea, anorexia, tiredness, lassitude, rapid heartbeat, sleeplessness, swelling of the hands and feet, and decreased urine production. These symptoms typically appear in the order listed above.

The best course of action if you get “AMS” from high altitude is to move the affected person as soon as possible to a lower elevation. Frequently, a drop of only 500 meters will be adequate.

Below a height of 5000 meters, around 55% of the earth’s protective atmosphere can be found. The sun’s rays are much more strong since there is significantly less UV light being filtered out of the atmosphere. This could cause serious skin blistering.

Preventives

– At lower altitudes, it is strongly advised to apply a 20+ sun protection lotion.

– complete block cream above 3000 meters of elevation.

– When walking through snow or ice or over 4000 meters, it is imperative to wear dark sunglasses, ideally with side panels. The condition known as snow blindness can be excruciatingly painful, and bandaging your eyes for at least 24 hrs

Climbers with heart or pulmonary conditions should use caution and should not try the mountain without first seeing their doctor. To get physically ready for the mountain, it is highly advised that you pursue a fitness regimen.

Causes

– Poorly fitting, brand-new, or hardly used boots will cause blistered feet. Your toes will get damaged even if the boots are just little too small, especially when you descend.

Prevention

– Because of this, it’s crucial to maintain your toe nails short while climbing.

– As soon as the “hot spot” is felt, treat the developing blister right away. Take off the boot and use zinc oxide tape or a similar covering material to cover the area.

On the mountain, there is an emergency medical helicopter evacuation service that is solely offered by Kilimanjarosar. Having insurance that covers this procedure is advised.

The kind of insurance you’ll require

To ensure a successful helicopter evacuation from Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, one should get travel insurance that includes medical evacuation up to 6,000 meters above sea level. It is crucial to request this type of coverage from your travel insurance provider before purchasing a policy. A reimbursement basis should not be present in your policy.

What if you lack insurance?

The costs range from $5,200 to $5,800 if the patient’s evacuation was not medically necessary and his or her travel insurance did not cover the costs. These fees cover clinic and helicopter evacuation.