[Leica] 12000 feet and no oxygen

[jacques_bilinski at yahoo.com (jacques bilinski)]

>>>>>

> it's been said that well conditioned folks may actually be at 
> higher risk for high altitude sickness.

Interesting... altitude sickness hit me pretty hard on my Mt. Whitney
climb, 
<<<<<< 
My understanding is that physical fitness has almost no relation to altitude 
sickness, but that there are very large differences between individuals.  If 
necessary and if it fits into the scheduel acclimitazaion is the best way to 
deal with altitude sickness.  

Also as you go up the amount of work you can do will be limited by the 
amount of oxygen you can get into your blood. You gasp for air and like for 
an internal combustion engine there will actually be less strain on the 
internal parts (pistons, heart, turbines, etc). Your max heart rate will be 
lower at higher altitudes. 

Fluid in the lungs, pressure on the brain, etc are serious but not too 
likely at 12,000'. A rapid descent in addition to the treatments others have 
mentioned are advisable.


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