Safety on Kilimanjaro – Our Top Priority
Kilimanjaro, one of the Seven Summits, is the highest mountain in Africa at 19,341 feet, placing its summit in the “extreme altitude” category. Unlike other peaks of similar height, it requires no technical climbing skills to reach the top. However, the climb should not be underestimated. Trekking at such altitudes in a remote location can be dangerous. Each year, over 1,000 people are evacuated from Kilimanjaro, and sadly, some do not return to their families.
Key factors affecting your safety on Kilimanjaro include:
- Altitude Sickness and Altitude-Related Complications
- Remote Location
- Experience and Training of Your Guides
- Proper Emergency Equipment
- Robust Monitoring and Evacuation Processes and Protocols
Ensuring these safety measures are in place is essential for a successful and secure ascent.
How We Work to Keep You Safe on Kilimanjaro
Ensuring safety on Kilimanjaro begins with a thorough grasp of potential risks and strategies for minimizing them. We require all climbers to complete a detailed medical questionnaire. For certain pre-existing conditions, we may request confirmation from your physician regarding your fitness for the climb. It’s crucial for your guide to be informed about any current medications you’re on, including over-the-counter ones, as well as whether you’re utilizing Diamox for acclimatization support.
Guide Training
You need to know that your guide has the proper training to know how to detect the early signs of altitude sickness, and what to do about it. Our guides undergo Wilderness First Responder training, which teaches essential skills for managing medical conditions in remote locations.
We’ve partnered with the Sentinel Outdoor Institute, a high-altitude medical training organization who run in-depth training courses in Tanzania to ensure our guides are kept up to date with emerging medical protocols.
Carrying emergency equipment is useless if your guide doesn’t know how to use it.
Daily Health Checks & Monitoring
Daily health checks and monitoring are paramount when ascending Mount Kilimanjaro. Our experienced guides conduct thorough assessments each day to ensure climbers’ well-being. These checks encompass vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels. Additionally, climbers are encouraged to communicate any symptoms or discomfort they may experience promptly. Monitoring includes observing for signs of altitude sickness, such as headache, nausea, or fatigue. By vigilantly tracking climbers’ health status, we can promptly address any emerging issues and make informed decisions regarding the ascent. Our priority is to maintain the safety and well-being of every individual throughout the journey.
Emergency Oxygen & Medical Supplies
Our team is well-prepared with a thorough medical kit, comprising bottled oxygen and a portable stretcher. Supplementary oxygen is strictly reserved for emergencies. Immediate descent to a lower altitude remains the sole solution for acute mountain sickness. Should an injury impede a climber’s ability to descend on foot, we utilize a portable stretcher provided by the National Park at each campsite. Oxygen, alongside immediate descent, can be administered to alleviate AMS. Furthermore, we have a first aid medical kit readily available for addressing minor injuries.
Helicopter Evacuation on Kilimanjaro
In the event of an emergency, we use a search and rescue service that operates out of Moshi. After a distress call, a helicopter will be dispatched to the nearest landing point and the patient can be airlifted off the mountain and taken to the local hospital. Of note, in the event of adverse mountain weather, a helicopter may not be able to land, and if this is the case, a manual evacuation will need to take place via a stretcher provided by the National Park.