To deal with altitude sickness

Climbing Guide for Mt FUJI

Climbing Guide for Mt FUJI > Preparation for Mt Fuji climbing > To deal with altitude sickness

To deal with altitude sickness

We all need to think about the altitude sickness, as this is so common among hikers.

Every year, there are many who have to call a stop as they developed the symptoms of the sickness.(In a mountain of 4000 metres in altitude, around half of the people show more or less some symptoms of the sickness) .

So, we will introduce how to prevent the sickness, and how to deal with it if it appears.

Definition of altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is a change of body condition deal to the chronic lack of oxygen, as the air becomes thinners following the increase of altitude. The symptoms include headaches, vomiting, dizziness, and drowsiness. Some can just sit down and take a rest in order to recover from these.

If you can't regain your normal condition even if you have your rest, then it may be better for you to go for a u-turn. However, it is such a pity.

That's why we have the ways to prevent the sickness following up.

1. Slow down your pace as usual.

It is fully common that one goes too fast, as they are so excited. However, the key point to prevent the sickness is to allow the body to have time to familiarize to the environment.

Please allow yourself to take rest, especially at the beginning.

2. Rest at Gokoume(fifth station)

If you reach the fifth station by car, please give yourself a break before hiking.

The air is already much thinner than the sea level, so it will be very nice if you can give yourself one hour before the actual climbing.

3. Maintain your pace.

If you go as a group or via the bus tour, you will always flowing other's pace instead of your own.

However, as the physical strength of each and everyone are different, it is not a wise idea to not following your own pace.

Besides, you won't be led behind if you go as a member of the bus tour. Just take it easy.

4. Drink more water

Dehydration can be caused by both the sickness and over-exercise. In this case, the hiking.

Dehydration can reduce the blood flow thus hinder the respiration process in your body. Do have some water if you feel thirsty.

5. Take more deep breaths

In an environment of such thin air, deep breaths can help you to gain more oxygen into your lungs.

Moreover, your body tends to breathe less unintentionally if you are tired. So, please try more.(The emergency eatable oxygen may be helpful.)

How should I do if the sickness has hit me?

Stay at where you are and take rest immediately.
You will feel only worse if you don't stop.

If the symptoms do not go away, please go down the hill.
It is not a good picture to see a happy trip to become a painful memory.

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