Field experiments of human subjects exposed rapidly to high altitude

Objective:To explore the preventive strategy for acute mountain sickness(AMS) for those troops rapidly exposed to high altitude from plain.Methods: A total of 11 subjects including 8 males and 3 females aged 28-55 were selected.Besides 1 female,others have had brief stay in plateau.After exposed to high altitude(3680 and 4300m) from plain(500m) by airplane,three batches of subjects immediately carried out their tasks of low-grade labor intensity.Every night within 3 days after exposion,symptoms of high altitude reaction were observed and scores were given while the work quality they finished was investigated.Results: Five subjects showed symptoms and signs of high altitude reaction and the scores were 2 to 4,but no one suffered from AMS.No obvious symptoms and signs were observed in others.All of 11 subjects finished their scheduled work satisfactorily and no other abnormality was observed.Conclusion: After entering high altitude from plain,people should not be confined to stop motion to prevent from AMS.At least they could do some works of low-grade labor intensity at once under correct medical protection.