Tibetan Guides Attended Altitude Sickness Training Course

On Jan, 10, 2017, a training course on altitude sickness prevention and treatment was held at the meeting room of Lhasa Gang Gyan Hotel. As one of the important parcels of the guide training and tour service exchange program in the off-season of Tibet tourism, this year’s training focused on knowledge of altitude sickness and how to give advice and timely treatment to our clients.

The training began at Lhasa Gang Gyan Hotel.

Dolma, a senior emergency doctor of Lhasa hospital, was invited to give a lecture on altitude sickness prevention and treatment. She gave an in-depth introduction of the cause of acute altitude sickness and interacted with our guides on useful ways to treat the patient. Throughout the two hours’ lecture, our guides listened attentively and exchanged their stories behind the scene.

Dolma was introducing the common symptoms of altitude sickness to the guide.

"Altitude Sickness referred to a series of physical reactions or symptoms to the subtle altitude change.” Dolma explained. “ Normally, the first-timers to places with an average altitude of above 3000m, the symptoms like headache, dizziness, and shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, etc. would occur. It was pretty common and there was no need to panic. Very rarely the mild symptoms would develop into severe cases like pulmonary edema or cerebral edema.” She added.

Listening attentively, all the guides were drawn to the informative lecture.

Over 10 year’s running of Tibet tour, Tibet Vista had not seen a single case in which the client died as a result acute altitude sickness. As a routine, our guide would monitor the health condition of our clients throughout their stay in Tibet, esp. during the trekking to Mt. Kailash and Namtso and other remote places like Everest Base Camp, etc. Oxygen bags were always prepared before the day tour started.

Making sure the safety of our clients remained the top priority of our service. Meanwhile we kept sparing no efforts to improve our tour service in all aspects. Hopefully, more international tourists will come to Tibet and enjoy the sublime alpine scenery there.

Live Video of the Altitude Sickness Training 

Doctor Dolma was explaining the cause of altitude sickness.

Insider Tips to Prevent Altitude Sickness:
a. Have a good rest shortly after your arrival in Lhasa
b. Drink more water and eat more veg
c. Never drink alcohol or smoke
d. Don’t have shower for your first couple of days in Tibet
e. Stay a couple of days in Lhasa for acclimation before travelling to elsewhere
f. Always follow the rules of gradual ascent
g. If the discomfort persists, do tell your guide or get medicine at the consult of the doctor or pharmacist.