Safety on Kilimanjaro

Safety on Kilimanjaro, our number one priority of both our clients and our team. The truth is every single year, climbers die on Mount Kilimanjaro due to its extreme altitude, if one is not properly monitored and treated. Karibu Adventure is the only Kilimanjaro company that trains its guides , Your guides monitor you every step of the way.

Once you are on the mountain we do everything possible to ensure you remain healthy. We monitor your health closely to spot the early warning signs of problems. As a tour company we run a full Safety Management System. This begins with establishing clear safety objectives then looks at detailed risk assessments. We then design our procedures to minimize those risks. We then listen to feedback to ensure that our safety protocols are continually improving.

On the mountain we do SUPPLY every trek with:   Safety on Kilimanjaro

  • Oxygen – For emergency use to ensuring that every trekker has easy access to emergency oxygen.
  • First-aid, Trauma and Medicine Kits – Fully stocked as per Wilderness First Responder guidelines and including medicine instructions.
  • Pulse-oximeter – To measure heart rate, blood oxygen levels and rapidly detects changes in blood oxygen level. The Head Guide checks, evaluates and documents blood oxygen levels and heart rate for each climber daily at dinner time.
  • Mobile Phones – Carried by all guides for daily communications with our base in Moshi.
  • Safety Briefing – A full safety briefing is given by the Head Guide before each trek, covering expectations, risks, safety gear and preventative safety.

Medically Trained Team:   Safety on Kilimanjaro

All of our Karibu Adventure guides have high altitude experience, are qualified High Altitude First Responders, and are trained in Wilderness Emergency Medicine. This are guarantees that we run our trips to the highest standards.

Prior to your ascent of Kilimanjaro, we will make sure you understand what is provided for in our medical kit.

Medically Guides on Kilimanjaro

Our Expedition First Kit:    Safety on Kilimanjaro

The truth is every single year, climbers die on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to its extreme altitude and non professional company, climbing Kilimanjaro can be quite dangerous if one is not properly monitored and treated. At Karibu Adventures, we are focused on safety. We understand that first and foremost, it is our main responsibility to keep all of our clients out of harm’s way.

Our medical kit containing the following,    Safety on Kilimanjaro

Wraps, Splints and Wound Coverings

  • Triangular cravat bandage
  • Rolled gauze
  • First-aid cleansing pads with topical anesthetic
  • Homeostatic (blood-stopping) gauze

Medications/Treatments:    Safety on Kilimanjaro

  • Hand sanitizer (BKZ- or alcohol-based)
  • Antacid tablets
  • Throat lozenges
  • Lubricating eye drops
  • Loperamide tablets (for diarrhea symptoms)
  • Insect sting relief treatment
  • Glucose or other sugar to treat hypoglycemia
  • Oral rehydration salts
  • Dexamethasone
  • Phenegan
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Biodegradable soap
  • Water-treatment chemicals or water guard
  • Hydrogen Peroxide

Tools and Supplies

  • Paramedic shears (blunt-tip scissors)
  • Standard thermometer
  • Small mirror
  • Medical / surgical gloves (nitrile preferred; avoid latex)
  • Steel sewing needle with heavy-duty thread
  • Small notepadwith waterproof pencil or pen
  • Emergency heat-reflecting blanket
  • Headlamp(preferred) or flashlight
  • Stethoscope
  • Pulse Oxymeter

Prior the climb be properly equipped

An essential part of your preparation will be to ensure that you are well equipped for your summit attempt.

Adequate travel insurance

Make sure that you have adequate travel and medical insurance, which will also provide you with cover for the climb up Kilimanjaro.

On The Mountain

Go slowly: “Pole Pole” as they say in Swahili! This is also very important during your first days of climbing. Even if you feel well, slow down and enjoy the scenery.The biggest cause of altitude sickness is ascending too high too fast! The slower you hike to more time you give your body to acclimatize.

Drink enough water: Make sure that you drink at least 3 – 4 liters of liquid a day – preferably water. Running water on the mountain is safe to drink we treaty it. If you are not used to fresh water in nature, prevent any inconvenience by using water purification tablets. REMEMBER! A functioning “body water balance” is one of the keys to a successful climb!

Walk high – sleep low: If possible and especially on your acclimatization day “walk high – sleep low” Try to do a short evening stroll to a higher altitude and then descend to sleep at the camp at a lower altitude.

Take a ski – pole: A ski – pole is essential. Use of ski poles reduces external and internal loads on the knee joint by up to 20%. Using 1 ski pole is a must, but 2 poles are recommended. Buy one or hire one but take one – view our Gear Rental options.

Climb light: Climb as lightly as possible; this becomes even more important on your summit night. Extra weight will slow you down and will also make breathing more difficult.

Packing: Remember that you will be on the mountain for at least 5 or 6 days. You need to take enough clothing, especially socks to last for this period. Due to frequent rainfall as well as numerous streams on the routes, it is advisable to pack items individually in your bag. These individually packed items should be wrapped in plastic bags to prevent them from getting wet in case of rain or of being accidentally dropped in a stream.

New batteries: Replace your head lamp and camera batteries with new ones on your summit night.

Other useful cups

Wet wipes: There is no washing water at Barafu, Kibo and Arrow Glacier camps. Wet Wipes are very useful

Snacks: Take enough snacks like energy bars etc. Avoid the toffee like energy bars (as they get very hard and difficult to eat in low temperatures) but rather but the cereal type energy bars.

Adequate sun protection: Wear a good quality pair of sunglasses (with UV protection) and use adequate sun protection cream with a protection factor of at least 20+.

Camera: Cameras exposed to cold do not cease functioning, but remember that if you keep your camera inside your jacket and the lens becomes warm, chances are that it will form condensation when suddenly exposed to extreme cold. This condensation will freeze under conditions at the summit. Therefore, keep your camera dry at all times. Moisture will freeze at the summit which WILL cause your camera to stop functioning.

Mountain water: The stream water high on the mountain Kilimanjaro has been tested and has been found to be fit for drinking.

KILIMANJARO GEAR LIST
Kilimanjaro Climbing Gear
PREACHING THE GOSPEL