damir 1 #1 May 3, 2013 Well, after some uneventful skydiving on Wednesday I woke up with a horrible hang over on Thursday morning (No drugs involved). With that, some muscle aches, nausea, and dizziness. To keep the story short I was diagnosed with “altitude sickness.” NO JOKE :( At this point I am out for a week, and I cannot even exercise. So, I’ll sit and watch you guys jump while asking myself why do strange things always happen to me :(. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingRhenquest 1 #2 May 3, 2013 I did a little research but couldn't find anything conclusive on whether there's any way to prevent that from happening. The Colorado natives who've lived here their whole lives just tell you to drink more water. Your body does seem to acclimate, though -- first year I moved out here I'd start getting dizzy up near the top of trail ridge road (The highest point here is a bit over 12K MSL.) That doesn't seem to happen any more, and I have to remember to caution guests about getting out of the car too quickly up there. I don't know if short rides to altitude really do all that much to help acclimate, I couldn't find anything on that either. We go to 18K MSL regularly without oxygen 'round here (Apparently have an FAA waiver.) I've had a couple of family members come on tandems and was a bit concerned about them going from sea level to that high in a couple of days, but they seemed to handle it without problems. They had more trouble with the aftereffects of the wind tunnel, since I also tend to forget that 10 minutes in there is a bit much for someone going for the first time. They had a blast though, and seemed to be OK with being sore a day or two later. When I first moved out here I'd commonly go stay up in Estes Park at 9K MSL over the weekends, because it was the off season for them and a lot less expensive. Couple times up there I'd wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air. Now when I go down to sea level, it feels like I'm breathing pudding. I get super powers down there, so I don't mind so much.I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #3 May 3, 2013 Strange. I've had altitude sickness a number of times, but it is always gone the next morning."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigMikeH77 0 #4 May 3, 2013 I don't think there's any real escape from that beast. It took me a good few months to reeally acclimate when I first moved to Denver, and after 6 years now it's never an issue - UNLESS I'm doing some sort of strenuous activity way up there (Skiing doesn't do much to me, but hiking above 13,000 does). I don't know if, other than time at altitude, there is any real and honest prevention measure to reduce the likelihood or effects of hypoxia. Of course, the only REAL remedy for it is to GET DOWN... NOW. Even a drop of a couple thousand feet at most usually really helps my visitors who discover through the majesty of our gorgeous mountains that they are not the supermen or wonder women that they think they are. After an interesting incident on the Otter a few weeks back where I just seem to have completely flaked prior to exit, I've been paying close attention to what my body is telling me while I'm up there. Right now, both in the air and on the ground, it's telling me to get my butt into shape. As far as breathing pudding... Spot-on. But isn't it cool how we can drink most anyone from the coast under the table and be like "What..." but when someone comes to visit and tries to drink here like they do back home, they make a pretty funny spectacle of themselves. I love Colorado.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
funjumper101 15 #5 May 4, 2013 Pulse oximeters are available for well under $100.00 They measure bood oxygen saturation. See the wiki at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_oximetry They react fast enought so that when you see the level going down, you can take deep breaths and or pressure breath (hold a deep breath and flex your abs to pressurize the air in your lungs) and watch the numbers come back up. Regular smokers will have less oxygen uptake than non smokers. Tobacco or other products... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingRhenquest 1 #6 May 4, 2013 Oooh, that's cool! I didn't know about those. Not sure I need one in my gear bag, but still pretty nifty.I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites