AMS do's and don'ts

Below you will find tips to avoid altitude sickness when you go high. Being in great shape does not mean you can't get it. The page below is like many found in Nepal ,take it serious because it can and will kill you if you are not aware. Records show that about 30-40% of trekkers and climbers in Nepal get some form of AMS. Even Hillary can't go above 12,000 without oxygen now.


  • A very important key to avoiding AMS is a slow ascent that gives your body time to acclimatize. It's not a race and it can kill you!

  • At altitude above 3000 meters (10,000feet), your sleeping elevation should not increase more that 300 meters (1000 feet) per night, and every 2-3 days you should spend a second night at the same elevation.

  • Avoid: alcohol, sleeping pills and even narcotic pain medicines unless absolutely essential. These drugs hinder your breathing . Remember to dress warmly in the cold. Don't let your body get chilled. You need to conserve as much energy as possible

  • DRINK WATER...DRINK WATER.....

  • Listen to your body...Don't overdue with speed or weight in your pack..Nothing is simple at altitude!

    If you fail to allow time for acclimatization, you may develop symptoms of AMS. The AMS may be mild enough to go away with a day's rest or if ignored may lead to death. All that is required to ensure a safe trek is a basic awareness of AMS, and a willingness to rest or DESCEND if symptoms worsen. 

    AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) :
In the setting of a recent gain in altitude, the presence of headache and at 
least one of the following symptoms :
nausea or vomiting
fatigue or weakness 
dizziness or lightheadedness
difficulty sleeping

    HACE ( High Altitude Cerebral Edema) : Can be considered "end stage" or severe AMS. In the setting of a recent gain in altitude, the presence of a

  • change in mental status
  • ataxia
  • the presence of both mental status change and ataxia in a person without AMS.

    HAPE ( High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) : In the setting of a recent gain in altitude, the presence of the following symptoms: At least two of:

  • dyspnea at rest, cough,
  • weakness or decreased exercise performance
  • chest tightness or congestion. At least two of:
  • rales or wheezing in at least one lung field
  • (blue lips)
  • (increased breathing)
  • (increased heartrate)

    AMS Self Assessment Headache:

  • 0 None at all
  • 1 A mild headache
  • 2 Moderate headache
  • 3 Severe headache, incapacitating Gastrointestinal symptoms:
  • 0 Good appetite
  • 1 Poor appetite or nausea
  • 2 Moderate nausea or vomiting
  • 3 Severe, incapacitating nausea and vomiting Fatigue and/or weakness:
  • 0 Not tired or weak
  • 1 Mild fatigue/weakness
  • 2 Moderate fatigue/weakness
  • 3 Severe fatigue/weakness, incapacitating Dizziness/lightheadedness:
  • 0 None
  • 1 Mild
  • 2 Moderate
  • 3 Severe, incapacitating Difficulty sleeping:
  • 0 Slept as well as usual
  • 1 Did not sleep as well as usual
  • 2 Woke many times, poor night's sleep
  • 3 Could not sleep at all If you score more than 2 points on the above you may have Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)