I guess I should say my final word on the subject.It is unlikely any doctor would prescribe dex to an asymptomatic patient especially if it were for the possiblity to help a random stanger in the mountains.
I am all about personal resonsibility.There are way too many people who try to take short cuts in preparation and over estimate their ability.From climbing Mt. Hood with a hundred year storm on its way to taking a casual stroll up the Main Whitney Trail.Many don't train enough,acclimate enough or investigate enough their own ability at altitude. This age of a drug to fix everything makes us take chances we really shouldn't.It is really unfortunate that people get into trouble on our local 14ers.Dex,Diamox, Cialis/Viagra should not be thought of short cuts to preparation. No one should ever go expecting that some magical life saving drug is in the pocket of a random stranger passing by.
It would be an interesting study to find out the "story" behind everyone who has suffered Hape or HACE in our local 14ers. Did they train,were they experienced? I am sure there are some who did everything right and still got into trouble. I sure would like to know the reasons why people suffered AMS, HAPE or HACE and what they could have done to prevent it.
Last edited by Rod; 06/15/10 09:08 AM.
