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| How to select an Adventure Travel Operator |
We take a strategic approach in analyzing, planning and executing our client’s requirement. Our industry experts anchor each of the activities and help the participants to relate the outcome of the program to the workplace atmosphere Adventure comes with its own thrill and also risk, Adventure not necessarily means putting oneself through uncalculated risks, hence choosing the right adventure travel operator or service provider is very important to have a good adventure outing in the safest way. |
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When one is planning to take up any adventure activity, getting information on the operator should be a priority. Here is an operator checklist for your reference that you should ask the operator of your choice: |
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Basic/Advance certification from institutes recognized by Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India |
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Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi |
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Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering, Manali |
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Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling |
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Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, Jammu |
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Swami Vivekanand Institute of Mountaineering, Mount Abu |
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NOLS, International |
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Experience in Outdoor & Adventure activities |
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Customer/Participant Reference |
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Individual insurance cover if any |
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Quality/Brand/Certification of Adventure equipments used |
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Risk Assessment Capability |
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Safety & Rescue Plan |
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Affiliation & Association |
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| Outdoor & Camping Checklist |
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Outdoor Basics |
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Do not carry or consume narcotic drugs, cigarettes or alcohol |
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Show respect to nature and fellow Trekkers and cooperate with each other |
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Follow “Leave No Trace” policy, never throw or leave anything en-route or at camp area |
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Collect all waste in the garbage bag & bring it back |
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Do not shout, spit around, sing or use transistors or music systems |
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Do not collect any souvenirs such as plants or animal parts |
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Never consume any medicine without prescription |
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Never hide any health related problems |
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Inform the group if you are allergic to anything, or if you are sleepwalker or have phobias |
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If lost, stay at the same spot and keep blowing the whistle at regular interval till the rescue party arrives |
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Make cat-holes/pit to attend to nature call and cover it back with soil/snow |
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Reach the destination well before dark |
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Be independent, carry your own backpack |
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Dress Code |
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Wear comfortable light cotton trousers/pants/tracks |
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Wear light full sleeve T-shirt to avoid tanning |
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Wear only sneakers/sports/trekking shoes |
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Hat/cap/bandanna to keep off sun burn |
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Sweater/Jacket in winter |
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Wind cheater/ Rain coat/Poncho during rains |
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What to carry individually |
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Carry a single Rucksack/Backpack |
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Extra pairs of Socks, Undergarments, T-shirts, Trousers/Tracks, Towel |
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Leech proof socks (during monsoon) |
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Extra pair of Sandals/Slippers (do not wear during the trek) |
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Water bottle at least 2 liter capacity |
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Toiletries – Sun screen lotion, Soap, Toothpaste, Hair brush, Toilet paper, etc |
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Garbage bags for collecting garbage back |
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Take dry snacks like - Dry fruits, Chocolates |
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Glucose & Electral packets |
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Personal Medicines (as needed) |
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Torch with batteries |
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Binoculars & Camera |
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Whistle |
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Note pad and pen |
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Sleeping bag & Sleeping mat |
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Mosquito/Insect repellent |
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Tobacco, Salt, etc, to ward off leeches during monsoon |
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What to carry for the group |
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First aid kit |
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Cotton Roll |
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Dettol/Savlon |
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Band-aids |
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Clean Cloth |
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Crepe Bandage |
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Antiseptic Ointments |
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Pain reliever/Balm |
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General Medicines |
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Nail Cutter, Scissors, Tweezers |
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Can/Bottle opener |
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Medium size knife/Army knife |
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Nails and jute yarn to make stretcher |
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Rope length |
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Match box, Lighter, Solar lights or Candles |
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Tissue Paper |
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Route- Map, GPS, Walkie-talkie & Compass |
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ID cards & Emergency contact details |
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| Preparing for High Altitude Trek |
here is a huge difference between hiking on flat terrain and trekking uphill and downhill or higher altitude. You need to keep in mind that walking for consecutive days is very different from single day walks/treks. Before any big trek, it is always good to increase physical fitness levels, the key to training lies in slow but steady progress. |
| Suggested plan to prepare for High Altitude Treks: |
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Start with 2-4 kms and increase to 6-10 kms per day |
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Breathing exercises or Yoga |
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Swim for at least 2-3 hours every week |
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Increase the length of the walk and carrying a back pack and increase weight of the back pack |
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Check the BP levels before and after treks |
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Check pulse rate and sugar levels |
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Maintain a healthy and nutritious diet |
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Consume more liquids at regular intervals |
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Consult a doctor and get a complete medical check-up done |
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| General Health in Outdoors |
Stomach: Loss of appetite is very common during long trips, and especially at higher altitudes, but one must take small quantities of food at regular intervals if you do not feel too hungry at all. |
| Before you go: |
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Carry good quantity of water |
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Drink plenty of water |
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Rehydration sachets is very important |
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Take some snacks to eat if you are off food |
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Always wash your hands |
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High Altitude Management
Mountain Sickness or Altitude Sickness occurs in low atmospheric pressure conditions and not necessarily in low oxygen conditions at sea level pressure.
Although treatable to some extent by the administration of oxygen, most of the symptoms do not appear to be caused by low oxygen, but rather by the low CO2 levels causing a rise in blood pH. The percentage of oxygen in air remains essentially constant with altitude at 21% up until 21330 Ft.
Air pressure (and therefore the number of oxygen molecules) drops as altitude increases - consequently, the available amount of oxygen to sustain mental and physical alertness decreases above 3050 meters.
Altitude sickness usually does not affect persons traveling in aircraft because modern aircraft passenger compartments are pressurized at an air pressure equivalent to an altitude of 2440 meters.
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| High Altitude |
| High altitude can be defined as an altitude where there is an increase in atmospheric pressure leading to lower oxygen molecules in air. |
Temp ↑se ↔ Air expand ↔ Pressure ↓se
Temp ↓se ↔ Air dense ↔ Pressure ↑se |
| Normal physiologic changes occur at high altitudes |
Hyperventilation (breathing faster, deeper or both)
Shortness of breath during exertion |
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| Normal physiologic changes occur at high altitudes |
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Hyperventilation (breathing faster, deeper or both) |
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Shortness of breath during exertion |
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Changed breathing pattern at night |
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Increased urination |
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| Types of High Altitude Illness |
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) - affects the Lungs
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) - affects the Brain |
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| AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) |
The condition indicates that your body is not being acclimatized to its current altitude. An ‘ideal’ altitude where your body is in balance will most likely be the last elevation at which you slept. |
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| Symptoms: |
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Headache is a primary symptom of altitude sickness, but headache can also be due to dehydration |
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Headache occurring at an altitude above 2400 meters combined with one or more of the following symptoms, can indicate altitude sickness |
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Lack of appetite, nausea, or vomiting |
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Fatigue or weakness |
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Dizziness or light-headedness |
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Insomnia |
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Pins and needles |
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Shortness of breath upon exertion |
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Persistent rapid pulse |
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Drowsiness |
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General malaise |
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Peripheral edema (swelling of hands, feet, face) |
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| HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) |
This is another form of severe altitude that results in fluid in the lungs.
It often occurs with AMS, it is not felt to be related and the classic signs of AMS may be absent. |
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Extreme fatigue |
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Breathlessness at rest |
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Fast, shallow breathing |
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Cough, possibly productive of frothy or pink sputum |
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Gurgling or rattling breaths |
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Chest tightness, fullness, or congestion |
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Blue or gray lips or fingernails |
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Drowsiness |
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| HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) |
Mountain sickness can be from mild to life-threatening. At the "severely ill" end is a condition called HACE; this is when the brain swells and ceases to function properly.
HACE can progress rapidly, and can be fatal in a matter of a few hours to one or two days.
Persons with this illness are often confused, and may not recognize that they are ill. |
| Symptoms: |
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Headache that does not respond to analgesics |
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Unsteady gait |
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Increased vomiting |
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Gradual loss of consciousness |
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| HADE (High Altitude Dumb Edema) |
HADE causes temporary intelligence loss due to reduced oxygen in the blood supplying the brain. Unlike HACE and HAPE, HADE often occurs at modest altitudes and can be artificially induced even at sea level by drinking too much beer. |
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| Hypothermia |
| Hypothermia is a result of low body temperature caused by cold ambient temperature; the most common cause of death in the wilderness. |
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