24
Apr

How often do people get high altitude sickness in Flagstaff, AZ?

   Posted by: admin   in Kingman Communities

Flagstaff has an elevation of about 7200 ft. What percentage of people would you say experience altitude sickness when arriving? How likely am I to get it if I'm coming from an extremely low elevation(87ft)? and if I fly into Flagstaff rather than spend the time to adjust by driving? Is it extremely rare to experience severe AMS?
What's the most that I'm likely to experience at 7200ft?
What's the most that I'm likely to experience at 7200ft?

Never .You have to be above 10,000 feet to experience high altitude sickness and as your altitude above 10K increases so does your possibility of getting it.
At the most you may increase a shortness of breath due to the fact that you are very concerned about it .
Save yourself a trip to the hospital and carry a 1/8 size paper bag in your back pocket
When you feel "HAS" coming on, stick the bag firmly over your face, breathe into it , inflate it and then re breathe the contents of the bag until you feel better.
Just so you know : Due to the expense involved and the minimal time savings gained by flying , most locals just drive it.
Update :
The cabins of commercial aircraft are pressurized for 8000' .If you don't have any breathing issues on commercial flights then you won't have any in Flagstaff.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 4:02 am and is filed under Kingman Communities. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

10 comments so far

Eric
 1 

Total ignorance. “Altitude sickness” is not a scientific or medical term. It is most generally the effects of a lack of oxigen. If you lived your whole life at -300 ft never excercised and smoked habitually you could get it a 4,000 feet. Age and obesity play a major role as do any respiratory problems. Think people, the thinner (less oxigenated) the air the less O getting into the blood via the lungs.
Decrease that dramatically and you will have at least some effet on the body until and if adjusted. Sherpas never get it – they either breathe or not but the body adjusts.

April 24th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Fefay
 2 

I would say a lot.

I've never gotten it as I am from CO. So I'm used to it. just about 2000 ft. difference.
References :

April 24th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Craig
 3 

Just once. Then they don't do much of anything after that.
References :

April 24th, 2009 at 9:48 am
catlady
 4 

I have never heard of anyone getting altitude sickness at 7200ft. If anything your ears will pop but that's about it.
References :
**

April 24th, 2009 at 10:15 am
poetic2muse
 5 

i have been to flagstaff many times and never experienced any trouble with altitude sickness. I am unsure but i believe you must travel above 10000 ft before it becomes an issue. the only time i had a problem was mammoth lakes california on a high speed ski lift going from 8 to 11000 ft in 4 minutes so i think you will be ok. but if you really are worried take a pill dramamine for motion sickness and it should prevent altitude sickness as well.
References :

April 24th, 2009 at 10:21 am
TK
 6 

Popping ears…maybe shortness of breath – especially if hiking, etc.

I'm coming from about 1600 when I visit there & I've been higher – w/ no ill effects. Not really sure since I'd only have my own experience.
References :

April 24th, 2009 at 11:08 am
나는 명랑한 성을 사랑한다
 7 

drink lots and lots and lots of water. for the first couple of days take it easy. of course its better to drive there. ascend the higher elevations slowly. drink lots and lots and lots of water dont do any major hikes the first day and you should be ok.
References :

April 24th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Mudcat
 8 

According to my atlas, the elevation of Flagstaff is 6,910 ft. I've been there a few times and never got sick….
References :

April 24th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
mr danger
 9 

Never .You have to be above 10,000 feet to experience high altitude sickness and as your altitude above 10K increases so does your possibility of getting it.
At the most you may increase a shortness of breath due to the fact that you are very concerned about it .
Save yourself a trip to the hospital and carry a 1/8 size paper bag in your back pocket
When you feel "HAS" coming on, stick the bag firmly over your face, breathe into it , inflate it and then re breathe the contents of the bag until you feel better.
Just so you know : Due to the expense involved and the minimal time savings gained by flying , most locals just drive it.
Update :
The cabins of commercial aircraft are pressurized for 8000' .If you don't have any breathing issues on commercial flights then you won't have any in Flagstaff.
References :
Me> Former NoAZ resident

April 24th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Mesha
 10 

My friend got altitude sickness, however, he flew in from the ocean level (0 altitude living in ship) to 7200, so that drastic climate and altitude change caused him to get symptoms like allergy and flu symptoms. Stuffy, congestion, soarness, loss of voice, occassional fever hikes or hot flashes. We had to leave after one night of being there. The doctors advised him that was what caused his alt. sickness. He was fine when we got back and got in w. the doc.
References :

April 24th, 2009 at 1:46 pm