SOS at 3,250 Meters: Inside Mount Fuji’s ‘Sky Clinic’

Staffed by worldwide mountain drugs consultants, the middle handles quite a lot of circumstances, from altitude illness to accidents.

One Korean climber, as an example, arrived on the middle with extreme complications and nausea, typical signs of altitude illness. “I’ve by no means skilled something like this earlier than,” he stated, struggling to regulate to the excessive altitude. The middle’s medical workers, led by a specialist who as soon as accompanied famed adventurer Yuichiro Miura on his Everest expedition, are well-prepared to deal with such circumstances.

On one other day, a younger woman, simply 11 years previous, was introduced in by her mom after experiencing issue respiration. The medical workforce shortly identified her with altitude-induced hypoxia, a situation the place oxygen ranges within the blood drop dangerously low. After remedy, her oxygen ranges improved, permitting her to soundly proceed her climb.

Nonetheless, not all circumstances finish properly. A person who had collapsed after a 5-meter fall was handled for dehydration and gentle hypoxia, each frequent points for these unaccustomed to excessive altitudes. Fortunately, his accidents weren’t extreme, and he was capable of get better beneath the care of the clinic.

Mount Fuji’s distinctive surroundings even necessitates each day deliveries of recent provides to the mountain’s ninth station, the place a mountain hut serves climbers meals from an intensive menu of over 30 dishes. But, regardless of the comforts, the significance of relaxation and hydration can’t be overstated, as the chance of dehydration and altitude illness looms giant.

Supply: TBS