Ladakh
is a high altitude cold desert with a low level of atmospheric
oxygen. Tourists reaching Leh from the plains of India by air
are required to allow time for acclimatization before engaging
in any physical activities. While the S.NM. Hospital at Leh is
fully equipped and staffed with a team of specialists to take
care of any eventuality, the rarefied atmosphere of the area may
cause high altitude ailments necessitating evacuation of visitors
unable to get acclimatized
ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS
Anyone
travelling to altitudes above 10,000 feets (2,700 M) is liable
to suffer from acute mountain sickness ( AMS) unless properly
acclimatized. The most common symptoms ofacute mountain sickness
are headache, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, nauses, coughing
, irregular breathing, breathlessness, lassitude and lack of concentration.
If you are reaching Leh by air , it is important to take complete
rest for the first 24 hours after arrival. Any kind of physical
exertion is to be avoided. Somking and drinking should also be
avoided until you are fully acclimatized. The symptoms of acute
mountain sickness generally develp during the first 36 hours ,
and not immediately upon arrival. Your body should get used to
the lower oxygen level of Ladakh after 2 or 3 days in you have
taken complete rest for the first 24 hours and as much rest as
possible during the next 12 hours. High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema
(HAPO) and High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACO) are very serious
forms of acute mountain sickness. They are life threatening and
warrant immediate medical attention. In such cases, it is advisable
to contact the nearest Hospital or Medical Dispensary situated
in Major village.
EVACUATION OF CASULTIES
J&
K Tourism initiates and coordinates evacuation of casualties by
IAF helicopters in case of accidents or sickness while trekking,
mountaineering or river rafting in the remote parts of the state.
The Evacuation is subject to payment of the operational cost of
the aircraft. A written guarantee indicating the source of payment
and address for the source of payment and address for billing,
etc. is required to be furnished to the authorized officer of
the State government while requesting for evacuation. The type
of helicopter normally used for the purpose costs around Rs. 25,000
per flying hour. Evacuation from anywhere in the Zanskar mountains
or the Changthang area may take 3 to 4 flying hours from take
off to landing back at the air base. Besides the high operational
cost , such missions also involve great risk and call for a high
degree of skill on the part of the pilots. It is, therefore essential
that request for aerial rescue is made under compelling circumstances,
only as a life saving measure. Also helicopters cannot be requisitioned
for lifting bodies of deceased persons from accident sites. Permission
for removal of the deceased is rarely granted and the procedure
to obtain such permission is very tedious. Evacuation of bonafide
casualties with guaranteed payment upon billing can be initiated
through the nearest administrative or Tourist Office.
State
Express
101, Bhanot
House, 17, Community Centre,
Gulmohar Enclave Extn., New Delhi - 110049, India Tel: 91-11-26855483, 26852712, 26524006 Fax: 91-11-26868552, 24351351 E-Mail:statexp@del2.vsnl.net.in
Ladakh
is a high altitude cold desert with a low level of atmospheric
oxygen. Tourists reaching Leh from the plains of India by air
are required to allow time for acclimatization before engaging
in any physical activities. While the S.NM. Hospital at Leh is
fully equipped and staffed with a team of specialists to take
care of any eventuality, the rarefied atmosphere of the area may
cause high altitude ailments necessitating evacuation of visitors
unable to get acclimatized
Anyone
travelling to altitudes above 10,000 feets (2,700 M) is liable
to suffer from acute mountain sickness ( AMS) unless properly
acclimatized. The most common symptoms ofacute mountain sickness
are headache, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, nauses, coughing
, irregular breathing, breathlessness, lassitude and lack of concentration.
If you are reaching Leh by air , it is important to take complete
rest for the first 24 hours after arrival. Any kind of physical
exertion is to be avoided. Somking and drinking should also be
avoided until you are fully acclimatized. The symptoms of acute
mountain sickness generally develp during the first 36 hours ,
and not immediately upon arrival. Your body should get used to
the lower oxygen level of Ladakh after 2 or 3 days in you have
taken complete rest for the first 24 hours and as much rest as
possible during the next 12 hours. High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema
(HAPO) and High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACO) are very serious
forms of acute mountain sickness. They are life threatening and
warrant immediate medical attention. In such cases, it is advisable
to contact the nearest Hospital or Medical Dispensary situated
in Major village. 
J&
K Tourism initiates and coordinates evacuation of casualties by
IAF helicopters in case of accidents or sickness while trekking,
mountaineering or river rafting in the remote parts of the state.
The Evacuation is subject to payment of the operational cost of
the aircraft. A written guarantee indicating the source of payment
and address for the source of payment and address for billing,
etc. is required to be furnished to the authorized officer of
the State government while requesting for evacuation. The type
of helicopter normally used for the purpose costs around Rs. 25,000
per flying hour. Evacuation from anywhere in the Zanskar mountains
or the Changthang area may take 3 to 4 flying hours from take
off to landing back at the air base. Besides the high operational
cost , such missions also involve great risk and call for a high
degree of skill on the part of the pilots. It is, therefore essential
that request for aerial rescue is made under compelling circumstances,
only as a life saving measure. Also helicopters cannot be requisitioned
for lifting bodies of deceased persons from accident sites. Permission
for removal of the deceased is rarely granted and the procedure
to obtain such permission is very tedious. Evacuation of bonafide
casualties with guaranteed payment upon billing can be initiated
through the nearest administrative or Tourist Office.
State
Express