High Altitude Survival Guide for Delegates and Convention Participants

Attention all flatlanders, if you’re coming to Denver, there is one thing you should know.  The altitude will kick your butt. You’ll probably notice that breathing is a little more difficult, you may feel a headache coming on, and you’ll be tired.

Here’s what you need to do:

• 1. Drink LOTS OF WATER– yes, you’ll have to potty more often, but believe me, it’s better than getting a blinding headache later.
• 2. DON’T RUSH – no running, hustling, or walking quickly with all your luggage unless you fancy passing out or feeling your heart race. We don’t want to read about our California delegates needing emergency services. There’s a huge crew of “Street Medics,” but may you never need them. If you are overcome by the altitude, you may experience a loss of motor coordination and might look like a rag doll in motion. Some folks find their speech becomes slightly slurred.
• 3. BUY CHLOROPHYLL drops or tablets. The drops turn water a very dark, yucky green, and turn your tongue green for a short time, but it’s totally worth it. You’ll feel like you’re at sea level.
• 4. Take Advil or Ibuprofen – it will lessen the headache effect of high altitude on your body.
• 5. Be cautious about drinking alcohol. Figure that you can only drink half the amount that you usually handle. Believe me, the headache the next morning is NOT worth it. A good rule of thumb is to chase each alcoholic beverage with an 8 ounce glass of water since alcohol dehydrates your body and increases the effect of altitude on your system.

Watching other flatlanders doing the pub crawl tonight, I know there will be plenty of folks tomorrow morning who will be suffering mightily. More on that experience tomorrow…