The danger of hypothermia is easy to understand. Death from hypothermia is essentially freezing to death. Extremely high mountains usually have summits above the snow line, some reaching several thousand meters in elevation, often with thin air and low oxygen levels. As a result, the normal metabolism of climbers is affected. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures, strong winds, oxygen deprivation, coupled with lack of movement—even with down jackets—can easily lead to hypothermia. Hypothermia can cause endocrine disorders, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, and eventually death. Even if rescued and life is saved, there may be lasting effects. Pulmonary edema alone is not necessarily fatal. Pulmonary edema is relatively easy to diagnose, and there is a considerable amount of time from onset to deterioration—enough time to make several round trips between 5,000 and 8,000 meters. In fact, many people have continued working under conditions of pulmonary edema.
The heart is a vital organ for sustaining life. Heart failure, even in low-altitude areas, is a condition with a high mortality rate, even when promptly admitted to an intensive care unit and treated with advanced equipment. In mountainous regions, transportation is inconvenient and rescue conditions are limited; once it occurs, death is almost certain. Therefore, prevention of heart failure is crucial. A thorough medical check-up must be done before entering the mountains, and individuals with contraindications should not recklessly venture into the mountains. If you realize your limits, do not recklessly continue climbing upward.
During the climb, one should constantly monitor the heart’s condition and take steps to protect it. Vitamin C can be taken to protect the heart, and vitamin E can enhance the body’s resistance to hypoxia. If blood viscosity increases due to too many red blood cells, putting extra strain on the heart, bloodletting may be considered.
Additionally, appropriate diuretics can be used to alleviate symptoms of edema. Under edematous conditions, patients may feel thirsty, but giving them large amounts of water, especially saline, can have fatal consequences.
Having sliced ginseng during the climb can be extremely useful. In the most critical moments, ginseng can even serve as food. A large dose of ginseng is the last line of defense for life. In the 1960s, climbers who reached the summit only had fruit candies and ginseng left when they began waiting at the assault camp, and some even achieved oxygen-free ascents above 8,700 meters. I really wonder if Wang Xiaozheng had brought ginseng; if he had, what would the outcome have been?
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