It is essential that your guide is properly trained to recognize and manage the early signs of altitude sickness. Our guides undergo Wilderness First Responder training, which equips them with critical skills for managing medical conditions in remote settings. We collaborate with the Sentinel Outdoor Institute, a high-altitude medical training organization, which conducts in-depth training courses in Tanzania to keep our guides updated with the latest medical protocols. Proper training ensures that emergency equipment is used effectively when needed.

Daily health checks are crucial during the ascent. Our experienced guides perform thorough assessments each day, monitoring vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels. Climbers are encouraged to report any symptoms or discomfort promptly. We keep a close eye out for signs of altitude sickness, such as headaches, nausea, or fatigue, and address any issues immediately. This vigilant monitoring helps us make informed decisions to maintain climbers’ safety and well-being throughout the journey.

Our team is equipped with a comprehensive medical kit that includes bottled oxygen and a portable stretcher. While supplementary oxygen is reserved for emergencies, immediate descent remains the primary solution for acute mountain sickness. If an injury prevents a climber from descending on foot, we use a portable stretcher provided by the National Park at each campsite. Oxygen and immediate descent can help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness, and our first aid kit is available for treating minor injuries.

In case of an emergency, we utilize a search and rescue service based in Moshi. After a distress call, a helicopter will be dispatched to the nearest landing point to airlift the patient to a local hospital. However, in adverse mountain weather conditions, a helicopter may not be able to land, necessitating a manual evacuation using a stretcher provided by the National Park.