health & saftey FAQ
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Emergency on mountain: Call Ski Patrol 970-781-5444
Emergency off the mountain: Call 911
Urgent Care/Emergency Room: 1024 Central Park Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO (970-879-1322)
Pharmacies:
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Altitude sickness is physical distress caused by difficulty adjusting to lower oxygen pressure at high altitude. Most cases of altitude sickness are mild, but some may be life-threatening.
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Symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches (most common), nausea, dizziness, fatigue, vomiting, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping
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The key is staying hydrated! Drink lots of water, and if needed, supplement with electrolytes (e.g., Gatorade, LiquidIV, Revitalyte). This also means thoughtful regulation of alcohol consumption. While there is some evidence that suggests alcohol itself will make you feel more intoxicated at higher elevations, it will further reduce your body‘s ability to absorb oxygen - meaning rougher hangovers and higher risk of altitude sickness.
Other tips for altitude sickness prevention include: climbing / walking uphill more slowly than you usually would, generally taking it easy during the first day or two of the trip, eating carbs (your body needs more calories at higher altitude), and getting adequate sleep.
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Hydrate, eat, rest, and lower your elevation to the extent possible (i.e., probably better to hang around the base than to ski). Over-the-counter medications may also help with specific symptoms like headache and nausea.
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Best to consult directly with your physician or a medical practitioner in Steamboat. Remember, the best thing to do in the case of altitude sickness is lower your elevation, so if your altitude sickness symptoms are severe, it may make sense to leave the trip :(