High altitude trekking insurance for a Kilimanjaro hike
A host of unforeseen circumstances can always come up on any holiday. In addition to covering for your clients flight, tour, baggage delays etc. as you would for any holiday, we highly recommend all clients to have high altitude trekking insurance or ‘climbing insurance’ (you are not actually ‘climbing’ however this may be the common definition by your insurers for a trek on Kilimanjaro).
There is currently no test in the world to predict how you will react to a high altitude and even the most experienced trekkers can experience altitude sickness on Africa’s highest mountain and even descend unexpectedly.
A few key points to consider when purchasing insurance:
- This should cover at least 5895m (most policies will usually state up to 6000m)
- Your policy should be on a ‘non-reimbursement’ basis, i.e. the insurer will pay for hospital bills etc. immediately (while you are in Tanzania) as opposed to claiming back when you get home.
- Your policy should cover the activity of trekking to a high altitude, mountain rescue services, helicopter call out etc.
- It is always best to purchase this insurance from your local insurer (in your home country) as you can handle this much easier in the event of a claim.
- What supporting documents are required in the event of a claim (e.g. receipts, booking summary, etc.)
- How much is the excess / deductible in the event of a claim.
- Have you submitted your insurance details to your tour consultant for our records?
Can’t find any insurer willing to cover this activity?
If you can’t find a local insurance policy to cover yourself, we can recommend ‘Ripcord’ who can cover almost anyone on Kilimanjaro, regardless of your country of origin.:
http://www.ripcordrescuetravelinsurance.com/st190117/
Most of our trekkers will never use insurance however the costs associated with those that do need to can be in the thousands of dollars and it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Your primary evacuation options:
The following are the primary evacuation methods available for your trek, in descending order for how our guides would consider during an emergency or evacuation with medical reasons.
- If safe to do so and you are physically able, you will walk down with a guide.
- If safe to do so and you cannot physically walk, you will be carried by a stretcher to the nearest rescue vehicle point or to a lower camp.
- Is a helicopter evacuation required, available and is this possible considering the nearest helipad?
The best way to recover from high altitude symptoms is descending to a lower altitude where the oxygen is rich, and your body can recover better. Our primary goal is always (and will always be) for you to descend by walking down yourself for the safest and best experience!
Note:
– Stretchers are provided by the national park and only available from specific ranger posts at campsites, subject to availability.
– Rescue vehicles are provided by the national park and are subject to their availability and offered at the discretion of park wardens.
– Stretchers and rescue vehicles are covered by the compulsory rescue fees already included in all climb packages and no insurance is required for these basic services.
– As the helicopter service is provided by a third-party company and is not guaranteed to be available, our guides are trained (and experienced) with dealing with various high-altitude emergencies and will only consider a helicopter evacuation as a last resort.
Identifying Altitude Sickness
Mild Altitude Sickness Symptoms:
- Headache: A mild to moderate headache is the most common symptom of high altitude sickness. It usually starts within a few hours of ascending to a higher altitude.
- Dizziness: You may feel light-headed or dizzy when you stand up or move around.
- Fatigue: You may feel more tired than usual, even if you haven’t exerted yourself.
- Insomnia: Difficulty sleeping or waking up frequently during the night is common at high altitudes.
- Shortness of breath: You may feel like you’re having trouble catching your breath, even when you’re not doing anything strenuous.
- Nausea: You may feel queasy or have an upset stomach.
- Loss of appetite: You may not feel like eating much or at all.
These symptoms can be mild and usually go away within a day or two as your body acclimates to the higher altitude. However, if you experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, confusion, or loss of consciousness, seek medical attention immediately as these can be signs of more serious altitude sickness.
Moderate Altitude Sickness Symptoms:
- Severe headache: A persistent and severe headache that does not respond to over-the-counter pain medications may be a sign of moderate altitude sickness.
- Vomiting: You may experience persistent nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration.
- Fatigue and weakness: You may feel very tired and weak, even with light physical activity.
- Shortness of breath: You may have difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity.
- Rapid heartbeat: Your heart rate may be elevated, even at rest.
- Dizziness and loss of balance: You may feel unsteady on your feet or have difficulty maintaining your balance.
- Confusion and disorientation: You may feel confused, disoriented, or have difficulty with simple tasks.
These symptoms can be more severe than mild altitude sickness and may require medical attention. It is important to consult your guide and potentially descend to a lower altitude if you experience moderate altitude sickness. In some cases, medication may be prescribed or recommended to help alleviate symptoms. Without proper treatment, moderate altitude sickness can progress to severe altitude sickness, which can be life-threatening.
Severe Altitude Sickness:
- Difficulty breathing: You may have a persistent cough, wheezing, or shallow breathing. This can be a sign of fluid buildup in the lungs, a condition known as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).
- Confusion and loss of consciousness: Severe altitude sickness can cause confusion, disorientation, and even loss of consciousness. This can be a sign of high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), which is a swelling of the brain.
- Severe headache: A persistent and severe headache that does not respond to medication can be a sign of severe altitude sickness.
- Chest tightness or pain: You may experience chest tightness or pain, especially when breathing deeply.
- Bluish lips or fingernails: This can be a sign of decreased oxygen levels in the blood.
- Inability to walk: Severe altitude sickness can cause extreme fatigue, weakness, and difficulty walking.
- Irregular heartbeat: Your heart rate may be irregular, or you may experience palpitations.
These symptoms require immediate medical attention, and it is crucial to descend to a lower altitude as soon as possible. In some cases, oxygen therapy or medications such as dexamethasone may be needed to alleviate symptoms. Severe altitude sickness can be life-threatening if left untreated, and immediate medical intervention is necessary.
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE):
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) is a severe altitude sickness condition. It occurs when pressure build-up in the brain results in fluid breaching the capillary walls in the cranium. It is a rare condition on general treks, but much more common among mountaineers in high altitude mountain ranges such as the Himalayas.
Here are the typical symptoms for suffers of HACE: very bad migraines, loss of coordination, hallucination and disorientation, memory loss, and loss of consciousness (ultimately leading to lapsing into a coma). Generally HACE tends to strike at night and the condition can worsen rapidly. Hence, time shouldn’t be lost in getting someone down to lower altitudes if they have suspected HACE. Do not wait for daylight. Descend immediately.
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is another fatal altitude illness condition. It occurs when fluid breaches the pulmonary capillaries and enters the lungs. Fluid in the lungs inhibits the effective exchange of oxygen to the blood.
Here are the signs that someone is suffering from HAPE: very tight chest and extreme shortness of breath (even while resting), the feeling of suffocating, particularly during sleep, coughing up white or mucus colored frothy fluid, extreme fatigue, irrational behavior and hallucinations.
Like HACE, descent is paramount, but caution should be taken not to exert the person suffering from HAPE as this can worsen the condition. Any available oxygen can and should be administered. The drug, Nifedipine, has also been shown to help ameliorate the condition, but descent is the only
We also carry 1 emergency oxygen tank with every Kilimanjaro hike to the summit.
Emergency Oxygen is used to treat a whole list of medical emergencies as well as altitude related illnesses while on Kilimanjaro. Its uses are usually as a last resort, and in most cases descending to a lower altitude where the oxygen is richer is the best way to cure oxygen related altitude sickness.
Once receiving oxygen via the emergency system, you would need to descend immediately and would not be able to ascend further, or re-attempt ascension for your own safety.
The oxygen system will be carried by a guide who accompanies you on your trek, and the decision to use the system will be either guides as they are trained to detect symptoms of acute mountain sickness and are trained in using these systems or by yourself. There may be some instances where altitude symptoms have arisen however the emergency oxygen is not necessary and the guides will recommend you descend to a lower altitude instead, usually curing any problems faced over taking treatment from the cylinder.
1-cylinder package
Consists of a 2-litre lightweight carbon composite oxygen cylinder, supplied with a medical oxygen regulator, medical facemask and carry case / backpack.
2-litre cylinder endurance:
@ 2-lpm – 2hrs 30mins
@4-lpm – 1hr 15mins