Successful use of the Gamow Hyperbaric Bag in the treatment of altitude illness at Mount Everest

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Abstract
Descent, the definitive treatment of altitude illness, can be simulated through the use of a new medical device, the Gamow Hyperbaric Bag (Gamow Bag). The Gamow Bag was field tested on Mount Everest during the 1988 Wyoming Centennial Everest Expedition (WCEE). We report six cases of acute mountain sickness which were managed in part with the Gamow Bag. All of the patients presented with dyspnea, weakness, and headache. They were treated with combinations of the Gamow Bag, oxygen, and descent. The patients were in the Gamow Bag from 1 to 10 h. After treatment, three of the patients had complete resolution of their symptoms and later ascended to or above the altitude where they first became ill. The other three patients were able to continue descent without incident. The Gamow Bag is a useful device in the treatment of altitude illness.

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