RESTIRICTED

HIGH ALTITUDE AND SNOW WARFARE WING

ARMY HIGH ALTITUDE / SNOW WARFARE SCHOOL RATTU CANTT
DS SCRIP
LIVING AT HIGH ALTITUDE
Subject
Ref for study
Time
Method
Place
Training Aids

:
:
:
:
:
:

Acclimatization
Health of Troops, Precise
1 periods (40 Minutes)
Lecture
Class Room
Board, Chalk, View Graphs, Slides, Models, Lecture Stand & Slides

Remarks Subject
Times
Introduction
4 Mins
1.
There is a need for a period of 14 to 20 days devoted to
conditioning and acclimatization for troops to be employed at altitudes
over 8000 feet. After a week or two at high altitude, the soldier will find
that he is less exhausted, he sleeps better, and his petite is normal. He
will soon find that life in the mountain is definitely exhilarating.
Acclimatization
2.
It is of two types that is psychological and physical: a.
Psychological Acclimatization. Many persons

12 Mins
who

have lived in lower altitudes all their lives may have

preconceived notions about the supposedly harmful
effects of high altitude on the human organism. To them
any illness however trivial may be construed as an ill
effect of altitude, which may cause them to become
unduly concerned about their physical conditions. Troops
b.

must be prepared mentally to face hardships of units.

Physical Acclimatization.
Regardless of previous
Army training and amount of flat cross country marching
practice. The soldiers newly initiated into the mountains
find mountain marching arduous and tiring. New muscles
are brought into play and these muscles must be
developed and hardened. Further more, a new technique
of rhythmic move must be learnt. This technique can only
be learned through daily marches and climbs, which

result in increased stamina and endurance.

Acclimatization Procedure
RESTIRICTED

16 Mins

2
RESTIRICTED
3.

There are two procedures to acclimatize troops to withstand

severe cold. The first procedure takes three weeks and for the
second two weeks are required the total exposure time in both
cases is almost the same. Normally, the first procedure will be
followed if however it is not possible to spare troops for three
weeks it is only then that the second procedure should be
adopted:a.
First Procedure (3 weeks).

Troops will be exposed

to low temperature (32 F to 41 F) at altitude of 10000

feet, gradually for three hrs each day over a continuous
period of three weeks as under:(1) First Week. Men should wear shirt Angola (full
sleeves) vest cotton, jersey Pullover, cap comforter,
gloves knitted, boots ankle and one pair of socks
worsted. These should not be tight fittings.
(2) Second and third weeks man should continue to
wear clothing as given before less Jersey pullover. It
is necessary that troops are taken into confidence
and reassured that no harm will come to them if they
b.

remove the Jersey.

Second Procedure (2 Weeks). This

procedure

is

similar to the first procedure. However troops will be

exposed for four hours each day and Jersey pullover will
not be worn during second week.
Precautions
6 Mina
4.
These precautions should be observed:a.
RMO or Nursing NCO should be present during
b.

acclimatization.
Before undertaking troops for acclimatization they should

c.

be medically inspected for fitness.

If some body gets sick during acclimatization should be
immediately evacuated to warm place. He should resume

d.

acclimatization after recovery.

That individual towards the end should utilize number of
days missed by any individual during acclimatization.
RESTIRICTED

3
RESTIRICTED
Conclusion
5.
Importance of acclimatization cannot be ignored. Troops
properly acclimatized will be well protected from altitude
sickness and other problems related to high altitude.

RESTIRICTED

2 Mins