Kilimanjaro briefing pack

NOTES ON ALTITUDE SICKNESS. The most common altitude-related problem is called ‘Acute Mountain Sickness’ or ‘AMS’. ‘Acute’, in this context, simply means that the onset is sudden. Symptoms for mild AMS, or even moderate AMS, may disappear if the sufferer rests or ascends no further. For severe AMS the victim must descend.

Understanding and recognising whether AMS is mild, moderate or severe is important. Being open about how you feel is equally important, as complications often arise as a result of a person hiding their symptoms as they feel they are letting the group down or don’t want to be seen as ‘weak’.

The most common symptom of mild AMS is a headache (which should respond to over-the-counter painkillers) with at least one other symptom e.g. feeling nauseous, lack of appetite, insomnia, lacking energy. Mild AMS is bearable and affects most people who trek to Kilimanjaro.

Moderate AMS differs from mild AMS as there is likely to be vomiting, the headache does not respond to pain relief and there may be a shortness of breath even after rest. Moderate AMS can be unpleasant and needs monitoring. Some sufferers may have to stop at this point.

Severe AMS differs again. Sufferers will experience the loss of muscular co-ordination and balance and possibly an altered mental state (confusion/aggression/withdrawal). It may be a sign of, or lead to, rare but major complications in the form of an oedema (pulmonary or cerebral). Severe AMS is treated by immediate descent and suitable drugs. If a trekker shows worrying signs of AMS our guide will closely monitor that person and, if the symptoms worsen, they will be taken to a lower altitude immediately.

In extreme cases we will evacuate the trekker off the mountain entirely.