Acclimatization of man in the highlands. How to facilitate acclimatization in the highlands

Mountains - endless expanse, expanse and relaxation for a tired soul. "In the mountains is my heart ..." - wrote the poet Robert Burns. Indeed, is it possible to remain indifferent to these bends of the relief, once having subdued their peaks? Meanwhile, not everything is as flawless among climbers as it looks in the photos. It is very important to properly acclimatize people in the highlands. Already at an altitude of about a thousand meters, the unprepared organism begins to express its bewilderment.

Why does malaise occur?

We all know from the school bench that with increasing altitude the air pressure decreases, which can not but affect the human body. Insufficient knowledge can prevent you from enjoying a high-altitude journey in full. So, if you are determined to conquer the peaks, let this article become the starting point of your knowledge: it will be about acclimatization in the mountainous area.

Mountain climate

Where should the acclimatization of man begin in the highlands? To begin with, a few words about what kind of climate awaits you at altitude. As already mentioned, the atmospheric pressure there is low, and every 400 m of elevation it decreases by about 30 mm Hg. St, accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of oxygen. The air here is clean and humid, the amount of precipitation increases with altitude. After 2-3 thousand meters, the climate is called highland, and here it is necessary to follow certain conditions in order to adapt painlessly and continue the ascent.

What is acclimatization, what are its features in the highlands?

Simply put, acclimatization in the highlands is the adaptation of the organism to the changed environmental conditions. Reducing the concentration of oxygen in the air leads to the development of hypoxia - oxygen starvation. If you do not take action, then the usual headache can develop into more unpleasant phenomena.

Our body is a truly amazing system. It is difficult to imagine a clearer and coherent mechanism. Feeling any changes, he seeks to adapt to them, accumulating all of his resources. He gives us signals if something is wrong so that we can help him cope with the threat. But often we do not hear it, we simply ignore the discomfort, considering it an ordinary manifestation of weakness - and sometimes later it costs us dearly. Therefore, it is so important to learn how to concentrate on your feelings.

Acclimatization phases

So, the acclimatization of man in the mountainous terrain takes place in two phases. The first is short-term: feeling the lack of oxygen, we begin to breathe deeper, and then more often. The number of oxygen transporters, blood erythrocytes, increases, as well as the content of complex hemoglobin protein in them. The threshold of sensitivity here is individual - it varies depending on a number of factors: age, physical fitness, health status and others.

To preserve the stability of the central nervous system is a priority task, therefore the lion's share of oxygen, which we managed to extract from the air, is sent to the brain. As a consequence, the rest of the body receives less. Overcoming the boundary in 2000 m, most people feel hypoxia quite clearly - this is the bell that calls you to listen to yourself and act wisely.

Acclimatization of humans in the highlands in the second phase occurs at a deeper level. The main task of the body is not transportation of oxygen, but its economy. The area of the lungs is expanding, the network of capillaries is expanding. Changes affect the composition of the blood - embryonic hemoglobin enters the fight, able to attach oxygen even at low pressure. The effective use of oxygen is also facilitated by a change in the biochemistry of myocardial cells.

Caution: mountain sickness!

At high altitudes (from 3000 meters) newly emerged alpinists awaits a harmful monster, violating psychomotor, causing cardiac decompensation and bleeding mucous membranes, so acclimatization in the mountains is a serious process. It sounds menacing, does not it? Perhaps you even thought that you did not really want to walk on the mountains, since such a danger. Do not make hasty conclusions, better make reasonable! And he is this: do not hurry.

More you need to know the basic nuances of this disease. Rising in the mountains by car, this ailment will not be avoided - it will only manifest later: 2-3 days later. In principle, mountain sickness is inevitable, but you can survive it in an easy form.

Here are the main symptoms:

• Headache, weakness.
• Insomnia.
• Shortness of breath, rapid pulse.
• Nausea and vomiting.

What sensations will appear at you, depends on a level of your preparation, the general state of health and speed of lifting. Light forms of mountain sickness are necessary for the body to start the process of its reorganization.

Acclimatize with the mind: recommendations for an early and successful adaptation

How to facilitate acclimatization in the highlands? Begin to promote acclimatization should not be at an altitude of 1-2 thousand meters and not even at the foot of the mountains - it is sensible to start preparing preparations for a month before the planned date of travel.

Everyone has long known that a good level of general physical training simplifies life in many areas. Before climbing the mountains, the main effort should be to develop endurance: exercise with low intensity, but for a long time. The most common form of this kind of load is running. Make long-term crosses (from forty minutes or more), watch the pulse rate and be attentive to your heart - without fanaticism!

If you are actively involved in sports, it is desirable to slightly reduce the intensity of the stresses and pay special attention to the diet and sleep regimens. The intake of vitamins and trace elements will play into your hands. In addition, it is recommended to minimize the intake of alcohol as much as possible, and ideally - to exclude it altogether.

Day X ...

To be more precise, there will be several days. The first time it will be difficult - the immunity is weakened, you are subject to various negative influences. To successfully pass acclimatization in the mountainous terrain and hot climate, you need to call for help all available means of protection, and then the journey will succeed.

In the mountainous terrain, sharp temperature changes are observed, so special attention should be paid to clothing. It should be primarily practical and uncomplicated in use, so that you can at any time remove excess or, conversely, put on.

Food

Features of acclimatization in different natural areas have a similar criterion, which should pay attention - food. With regard to food intake at height - keep in mind that the appetite often decreases, so the products are better to choose easily digestible and use exactly as much as necessary to satisfy hunger. It is also recommended to continue taking the vitamin and mineral complex.

What is useful to drink?

Intensive physical activity and dry mountain air promote rapid dehydration - drink plenty of water. As for coffee and strong tea - their use for the period of travel will have to be suspended. On the memory of guides, there were cases when, after trying to cheer up fragrant coffee (or, especially, energy), a person had to be urgently lowered because of a sudden deterioration in well-being. Professional mountaineers use special drinks to simplify adaptation. For example, it is useful to take a mixture of sugar syrup, citric acid and ascorbic acid. By the way, the inhabitants of the highlands eat sour fruit.

Sleep and motor activity

Move evenly. Many tourists make a serious mistake at the very beginning of the journey, moving in jerks. Yes, on the first day it's difficult to restrain yourself - from the surrounding grandeur inside you literally rage emotions: it feels like invisible wings themselves carry you forward. It seems that the forces are endless, but for this you will have to pay expensive afterwards.

At sunset, it's time to break camp and indulge in rest. By the way, sleep at the height is very useful in order to easier acclimatization of people to the cold and highlands. However, if something in your state of health does not suit you - do not rush to go to bed. In the case of a headache, do not neglect the pain medication, and in case of insomnia, a hypnotic. You can not tolerate these phenomena, they destabilize your body and prevent adaptation. In addition, sleep should be strong and really restorative. Before otboym measure pulse, do the same immediately after waking: ideally in the morning, the indicators should be lower than in the evening - this is a positive sign of a rested organism.

Actually, this is the basic volume of theoretical knowledge, which, in addition to the backpack with food and a tent, each newly-born mountaineer should arm himself. If the acclimatization of the human body is successful, then any trip will bring a lot of unforgettable impressions and vivid emotions.