First Aid and Injury
The trekking guide will carry a first aid kit with him but it is important you also have your own small pack which should include: aspirin, Paracetamol, ibuprofen, throat tablets, loperamide, electrolyte rehydration solution, UV lip balm, sunscreen, plasters etc.
In the event of serious illness or injury then your trekking guide will coordinate getting you to the nearest hospital. Sometimes a helicopter evacuation is necessary and it is important that your travel insurance includes this facility and that you carry a copy of your policy with you. In the event of an incident your trekking guide will liaise with the helicopter company and organise an airlift, but this is entirely weather dependant. You will need to keep all paperwork relating to your illness for the insurance company. The trekking guide will not be carrying enough cash to pay up front for helicopters or major incidents.
See our document Rescues & Emergencies for a comprehensive discussion of the procedure if someone needs to be evacuated.
Mild illnesses can be dealt with locally and, if it is to with altitude, dehydration or exhaustion it can be effectively be dealt with by an stopping and resting. It may be necessary to go down. In this event, your guide will ensure you are always accompanied by some of our senior porters who will ensure you get to the nearest safe village down the valley. You may have to wait a day or two for the others to come down to join you.