@john Rambo Thanks for the comments. In our area we do not have problems associated with altitude and associated hypoxia. If you only have a surgical mask at high altitude you must make sure that the casualty has an open airway. Supplemental oxygen is the only effective treatment other than getting the casualty to a lower altitude. Some drugs can lessen the effects of altitude and buy you a bit more time but the problem is hypoxia and the only effective cure for that at altitude is supplemental oxygen or getting down the mountain to a lower altitude.
@john Rambo Suplemental oxygen is given a number of ways. Either via a non-rebreathing mask( such as this NonRebreathingOxygenTherapyMask_4_0_1605_1.html) or a bag-valve mask ( such as Ambu_AmbuSPURIIBVMSinglePatientUseResuscitator_51_19_1364_1.html). At altitude mountaineers use different kit to support their activity at high altitudes such as the topout or summit systems. In mountain rescue we use this extra oxygen to combat problems stopping oxygen getting to the organs such as shock (due to bleeding from trauma, chest injury, heart problem related low oxygen levels etc). Giving oxygen from a cylinder at low temperatures is not a problem - oxygen boils at -182 degrees Celsius so its always a compressed gas in the cylinder. Its not given on-demand through a regulator like when at high altitude or diving - so theres no risk of humid breath freezing it up. I can't be sure we mean the same surgical masks - to us that means a facemask (like this; www.amazon.co.uk/Face_Masks-Disposable-Protective-Breathable-Face_Coverings/dp/B08FZPXLPS/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=face+mask&qid=1605559398&sr=8-7 ) In this time of coronavirus - if you put a oxygen mask on a patient or there was another urgent priority, we would remove their facemask. We assess every casualty for the risk they pose to us and have specific circumstances when we use or don't use oxygen. A different assessment framework might be needed if you were working at altitude where you'll face altitude related illness more frequently. I hope that answers some of your questions.
Learned from that, that has now helped me, to help them, to help you...Thanks.
Thanks Pete.
The procedures have changed a little with covid. No airway intervention without full PPE, hazmat etc.
@john Rambo Thanks for the comments. In our area we do not have problems associated with altitude and associated hypoxia. If you only have a surgical mask at high altitude you must make sure that the casualty has an open airway. Supplemental oxygen is the only effective treatment other than getting the casualty to a lower altitude. Some drugs can lessen the effects of altitude and buy you a bit more time but the problem is hypoxia and the only effective cure for that at altitude is supplemental oxygen or getting down the mountain to a lower altitude.
@john Rambo Suplemental oxygen is given a number of ways. Either via a non-rebreathing mask( such as this NonRebreathingOxygenTherapyMask_4_0_1605_1.html) or a bag-valve mask ( such as Ambu_AmbuSPURIIBVMSinglePatientUseResuscitator_51_19_1364_1.html). At altitude mountaineers use different kit to support their activity at high altitudes such as the topout or summit systems.
In mountain rescue we use this extra oxygen to combat problems stopping oxygen getting to the organs such as shock (due to bleeding from trauma, chest injury, heart problem related low oxygen levels etc). Giving oxygen from a cylinder at low temperatures is not a problem - oxygen boils at -182 degrees Celsius so its always a compressed gas in the cylinder. Its not given on-demand through a regulator like when at high altitude or diving - so theres no risk of humid breath freezing it up.
I can't be sure we mean the same surgical masks - to us that means a facemask (like this; www.amazon.co.uk/Face_Masks-Disposable-Protective-Breathable-Face_Coverings/dp/B08FZPXLPS/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=face+mask&qid=1605559398&sr=8-7 ) In this time of coronavirus - if you put a oxygen mask on a patient or there was another urgent priority, we would remove their facemask. We assess every casualty for the risk they pose to us and have specific circumstances when we use or don't use oxygen. A different assessment framework might be needed if you were working at altitude where you'll face altitude related illness more frequently. I hope that answers some of your questions.
@@jepotherepo Thanks Mike. Dr Mike Jepson is one of our team Doctors.