HEALTH & SAFETY
FOR YOUR SAFETY:
We at Footloose take the safety of our clients along with guides and porters very seriously. For the safety of our clients, we make sure to give them sufficient information about the trip they have chosen and booked. We brief them about various health problems (mental and physical) due to the effect of high altitude and low oxygen level in the Himalayas, and how to protect themselves against it and not be reckless about it. It is best advised that the clients take the trip seriously and train their body and mind before the trek starts as the trek may be strenuous with many hours of walk daily (check the trip note) We also carry oxygen on every trip as an emergency measure. Our guides are certified and fully trained in health and rescue with their knowledge you are sure to feel safe. They will assess you and themselves on the whole trip. For those who fall severely sick during the trip, which our staff will try their best to help and avoid, we will assign our guide who will be taking extra care and help you descend. We also provide Heli Rescue for those who are severely sick or injured and take them to the best Hospital in Kathmandu for treatment.
Our guides, porters, and other field staffs all have insurance and they are provided with the best hiking gears as they are the ones to lead and carry your bags the entire trip and are the main reason for your safe and enjoyable trek. We also help them gain more knowledge and confidence by setting up various training programs which benefits both them and the clients.
We ensure every aspect of safety and security is fulfilled during our trips.
We manage leader, guide, and client ratios to provide individual support when required.
Guides are trained in Nepal Mountaineering Academy, wilderness training, hygiene and first aid, altitude medicine, rock climbing, and various other training institutes also from the UK.
All our logistics have been double-checked and inspected by our administration to ensure a smooth trip.
Always back up team on standby in case of emergency of any kind.
COVID-19 RELATED
- All our staffs are vaccinated
- Sanitization measures in place
- Wearing masks in enclosed areas is obligatory
- Your safety is our prime concern. We try every possible way to make your travel safe and secure.
- For your safety, we have highly qualified leaders and guides who have proper knowledge and training.
- Well trained first aider with first aid kit
- Emergency Helicopter Evacuation
- Oxygen
- One extra COVID staff
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
You should have proper Insurance.
Tell us about any health issues during booking (asthma, lactose intolerance, etc).
Your guide will help you if you help yourself, do not be selfish, tell them about any problems you have.
ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS
(HACE and HAPE)
AIMS signs:
Once you cross 3000-meter mark you will feel the thin air kick in. It is important to know the signs of acute mountain sickness if you are heading to the mountains in Nepal. You will feel headache often with loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
What to do in the case of AIMS?
Acclimatize properly before you ascend up, descend down if it is difficult and take Diamox (250 mg) tablets every 12 hours.
HACE
When you suffer from HACE you will face severe headache, loss of balance/coordination, staggering, irrational behavior, confusion, drowsiness, coma, and resulting in death (sometimes in a few hours).
What do you do if you have HACE?
Check with straight line heel-to-toe walking (if you have HACE you cannot do it). Head to a lower elevation immediately and by 1000 meters. It is recommended to descend with someone and use Diamox, Gamow bag and keep yourself very warm.
HAPE
Breathlessness (even while resting) followed by dry lips, rusty cough, blue nails, and lips. You feel drowsy, low fever, hallucinations, coma, and death. In case of HAPE please follow the HACE instructions and add nifedipine to it.
Sprains and strains
This is the most common thing you will face in the mountains of Nepal, so it is advised to take precautions. Often people report sprains in the knee and ankle due to walking on rough terrain steep up and downhill. Do not hit the trail at night and warm up before and after your trek. It is better to have joint support bandages, some painkillers, and heat spray or ointment.
Health post
There is at least 1 health post in every village in the Annapurna conservation area (ACA) and Everest region. Depending upon the size of the village you may find 2 as well but these health posts are usually open only in the daytime. These health posts help trekkers who are in need of minor health assistance. In off the beaten treks, there are few chances of seeing a health post and you are mostly on your own. Take necessary medications and travel with a travel partner.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Stay on the walls of the hill at any time when donkeys, mules, and yaks cross.
Use salt to get rid of leeches in the monsoon season
Always arrive early to your final destination or rather stay at a stop early. Do not arrive at a place with 2-3 lodges just before dusk in the main season.
Look for causes and symptoms of hypothermia. Take precautions to avoid hypothermia at high altitudes.
Avalanches and landslides
The mountains of Nepal are notorious for the avalanches that hits the trails in winter and spring. The several places which are avalanche and landslide-prone areas in all trekking destinations in Nepal. We collect as much information in case of bad weather before heading any further. It is advised to walk slowly and quietly in the avalanche-prone area. The most dangerous time is 24 hours after the storm or rain.
Culturally accepted behavior in the mountains
You are a guest in Nepal and it is well appreciated by people if you adapt to the culture and respect in return.
Dress decently (no revealing clothes)
Do not show affection in public (no kissing or smooching especially)
Do not point your feet at people
Do not buy antiques from the trails
Do not step over a person
Do not be reluctant with red powder (Tika) or traditional way of welcoming
Receive and give with 2 hands
Ask before you take people’s pictures
Do not offer chocolates,, pens or gifts to local people and kids (promotes negative information)
Take off your shoes before entering monasteries, temples, or even people’s houses
Go clockwise around stupas
Do not eat, smoke, or be loud at the religious site, and also do not litter
Women are advised not to touch or hug Lamas/monks and men are advised the same in case of nuns
Save Environment
Do not toss what you use, like papers, wrappers, batteries, and bottles.
If in a group order food at once, as it saves time and fuel
Wear warm clothes rather than heating the room
Do not defecate near water sources
Do not throw even biodegradable waste after 4000 meters
Do not disturb wildlife by being loud or by doing an act which disturbs their natural habitat
Do not promote wildlife trafficking ( you will face legal actions)
Do not promote plastic bags, even if it is free
Things to take along
Copy of your passport and insurance
Some emergency cash
Iodine tablets, water bottle, sunscreen, long sleeve shirt, hat, sunglasses, lip balm, insect repellent
Warm clothes, thermal underwear, gloves, trekking boots, trekking pole