PRESSURE RETENTION MASKS - KILIMANJARO SAFETY EQUIPMENT

The Gamow Bag is only recommended at very high altitudes such as on Everest, or staying at Crater Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro where fast and immediate descent is not feasible. But on a Mt. Kilimanjaro climbing expedition, it rarely takes more than an hour to find relief at lower levels except from Crater Camp, where the bags should be standard safety equipment. Read More On Gamow Bags

Pressure Retention Masks are carried by few climb operators to treat trekkers that yield to High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, (HAPE) whilst climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. HAPE is a form of Acute Mountain Sickness, (AMS), resulting in fluid accumulation in the lungs because of low air pressure. The most important need is to descend as quickly as possible by 500 - 1000 meters. Read More On Pressure Retention Masks

There are helicopter evacuation points on three major route locations on your trekking tour of Kilimanjaro i.e. Horombo, Barranco and Shira, all within less than five hours from the crater by stretcher. Shira Campsite is also accessible by rescue vehicle within ninety minutes from its park gate. There have been discussions about another helicopter landing point at 4600 meters. Read More On Helicopter Evacuation

Your Uhuru Trails team leader guide is a High Altitude Responder, trained and experienced to administer supplemental emergency oxygen to sufferers from rare complications of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) who may develop High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), a potentially fatal swelling of brain tissue as a result of poor acclimatization. Read More On Emergency Oxygen

A pulse oximeter is a tiny clip which fits over a finger, shining light into the tissue to measure the color of reflected light and estimate the amount of oxygen in the blood. Only experienced High Altitude Responders use pulse oximeters if required, in conjunction with other signs, but it would be very dangerous to rely on the interpretation of a less well-trained first-aider or just by the hiker. Read More On Pulse Oximeter

Portable defibrillators are dramatic items of equipment in casualty drama films, but are of questionable value for a Tanzanian mountain voyage on Kilimanjaro. In these conditions, manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a more effective first aid procedure for someone who is not breathing, or has irregular or no pulse, to preserve brain function until normal circulation can be re-started. Read More On Portable Defibrillator