ANALGESICS

     Trying to survive outside can be challenging enough without having to deal with serious pain.  If someone on the team gets hurt you will want to be able to manage the pain before you try to transport the victim.  Be sure and know everyone on the teams allergies before leaving on a trip or administering any medication.  This is not a medical guide or professional opinion.  This is what I carry in my medical kit and my reasons for it.  Please do your own research and consult with your personal physician before taking or administering any prescription medication.

     For minor injuries and the day to day pain of hauling heavy packs up big mountains I keep both Ibuprophen and Naproxen in my kit.  In both of these I stock the 500 milligram prescription strength pills.  The over the counter variations have too many additives that can cause more stomach problems than the prescription pills.  Taking either of these too long or too much will cause stomach disorders so be careful.

   The next level of pain medications in the kit consists of Tylenol 3 with codeine and Ultram.  I like both of these for different reasons.  The Tylenol does a good job of dealing with moderate pain for me but taken in high dosages can cause mild intoxication which can be dangerous when making life and death decisions.  Ultram does not seem to have as much of a narcotic effect but can make sleep difficult.  If I am at the threshold where I need pain medications of this strength I will usually take 1 to 2 Ultrams during the day and in the evening switch to a Tylenol so as to not interfere with sleep.  This is not a professional recommendation, just my personal dosage when necessary.   

    The strongest oral pain medication I carry are Lortabs or Tylox.  Both of these are serious narcotics and if you are having to pop these to keep moving then it is time to go down and either heal or go home before you continue climbing.  Be sure and don't take too much of these or you may pay for it.

    For severe trauma and injuries it is sometimes necessary to administer full power pain relief.  For years Morphine has been the choice for this.  Personally I like liquid Toradol for this as it's narcotic effects are low and it does not depress the respiration like morphine.  Morphine at high altitude can do more damage than possible help.  It doesn't matter if you stop the pain if the victim stops breathing.  Toradol is a ibuprophen injectible that works great unless you are ibuprophen sensitive.  Be sure to write down everyone on the teams allergies to avoid killing someone.

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