Rock Climbing Quick First Aid Help
Rock climbing inherently takes you out of your comfort zone, as that is part of the thrill, but placing yourself in such vulnerable situations can have negative repercussions in the event of even minor medical concerns. From pesky scratches to larger issues, it is important to take all the necessary safety precautions to make sure your rock scaling ends as enjoyable as it began. Here are some common ailments that affect climbers and some recommended advice for how to treat or prevent them.Blisters Foot blisters can be a continuing problem for rock climbers. The combination of heat from the intense activity and the moisture from your foot’s natural sweat leaves you feet extremely susceptible to painful blisters, limiting your ability to climb up or down the rock. Friction between climbing shoes, feet and any sand or rock that has found its way into your shoe can result in an incredibly uncomfortable situation. Though many climbing shoes are made to help guard against blisters, extra care should be used when purchasing your shoes. Make sure that you do not compromise in the size of the shoe as a result of limited availability or high price. Instead, find a shoe that truly fits. Take to an expert, if necessary, so you can understand exactly what the proper fit feels like.Altitude Sickness Acute Mountain Sickness as it is officially known, can be the result of doing too much too fast at a high altitude. Your body is not accustomed to the changing oxygen levels, thus it does not know how to react to the increased stress. The best way to prevent or remedy AMS is rest, food and water. Quite simply, take it easy for a while and don’t push yourself beyond your capacity.Fall Any sort of unplanned drop of fall can obviously lead to serious injury. Immediately contact emergency help services. Trying to move a fall victim can have long term brain or spinal damage, so avoid moving seriously injured climbers without professionally trained help.
