The biggest challenge on Mt. Kilimanjaro is high altitude sickness known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Rising above 8,000 ft / 2,600 m Kilimanjaro is a high altitude. As altitude increases oxygen molecules per breath decreases. Altitude sickness is caused by the failure of the body to adapt quickly enough to the reduced oxygen at increased altitudes. It can occur in some people as low as 8,000 ft 2,600 m, and serious symptoms usually occur over 12,000 ft / 3,600 m. Kilimanjaro stands at 19340 ft / 5,895 m and therefore it is categorized as extreme altitude.

There are three types of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) that is mild, moderate and severe AMS. Symptoms of mild AMS on climbers are Headache, Nausea & Dizziness, Loss of appetite, Fatigue, Shortness of breath, Disturbed sleep, General feeling of malaise. Symptoms of moderate AMS are Severe headache that is not relieved by medication, Nausea and vomiting, increasing weakness and fatigue, Shortness of breath, Decreased coordination (ataxia). Symptoms of Severe AMS are Shortness of breath at rest, Inability to walk, Decreasing mental status, Fluid build-up in the lungs

There are two serious conditions associated with severe altitude sickness: High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). HACE and HAPE occur in climbers going too high too fast or going very high and staying there. HAPE results from fluid buildup in the lungs. This fluid prevents effective oxygen exchange. As the condition becomes more severe, the level of oxygen in the bloodstream decreases, which leads to cyanosis, impaired cerebral function, and death. Symptoms of HAPE include: Shortness of breath at rest, Tightness in the chest, Persistent cough bringing up white, watery, or frothy fluid, marked fatigue and weakness, A feeling of impending suffocation at night, Confusion, and irrational behavior.

HACE is the result of the swelling of brain tissue from fluid leakage. Symptoms of HACE include: Headache, Weakness, Disorientation, Loss of co-ordination, Decreasing levels of consciousness, Loss of memory, Hallucinations & Psychotic behavior, Coma HACE is rapidly fatal unless the afflicted person experiences immediate descent.

Anyone suffering from HAPE / HACE must be evacuated to a medical facility for follow-up treatment. About 1,000 climbers are evacuated on Mt. Kilimanjaro and it is believed that about 20 to 30 deaths occur every year due to Altitude sickness.

Safari Elations Tanzania Management and the entire crew take very serious the safety of company’s clients on Mt. Kilimanjaro and for that reason the following preventive measures are in place:

• Deployment of guides who are highly experienced in preventing, detecting, and treating altitude sickness;
• Guides conduct health checks on all clients twice daily;
• Crew carry bottled oxygen on all climbs which can be administered to quickly treat climbers with moderate and serious altitude sickness;
• Availability on every trip of a well-stocked first aid kit
• An arrangement of a helicopter evacuation through Kilimanjaro Search and Rescue (SAR), a helicopter rescue operation for clients who have the required travel insurance.