Advice from the Colorado Street Medics

So, you’re coming to Denver for the DNC. Welcome! Before you come to Denver, the Colorado Street Medics want to bring some important things to your attention.

Traveling to Denver, the well known “Mile High City”, will be an increase in elevation for many of the people traveling from other states. In order to make the most of your journey to Denver it is important to understand the effects of altitude on your well being.

As altitude increases, the overall atmospheric pressure decreases. Decreased pressure is the underlying source of altitude illnesses. Whether at sea level or 20,000 feet the surrounding atmosphere will always have the same percentage of oxygen. As pressure decreases the body has a much more difficult time passing oxygen from the lungs to the red blood cells and thus to the tissues of the body. If you are coming to Denver from sea level (or any other elevation significantly below 5,280 feet), the increased difficulty in passing oxygen from your lungs to your red blood cells posses several possible behavioral effects. These include:

Increased errors in performing simple mental tasks.
Decreased ability for sustained concentration.
Deterioration of memory.
Decreased vigilance or lethargy.
Increased irritability in some individuals.
Impairment of night vision and some constriction in peripheral vision (up to 30 percent at 6,000 feet).
Loss of appetite.
Sleep disturbances.
Irregular breathing.
Slurred speech.
Headache.

Suggestions for avoiding these effects:

Oral pain medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
Rest.
Frequent consumption of liquids and light foods in small amounts.
Realization of physical limitations and slow progression.
Practice of deep-breathing exercises.

Come to Denver a couple of days early. It will help your body acclimate, which will likely reduce the behavioral effects by the time the days of action occur. While you are in Denver drink a lot of water, eat meals regularly, and get good rest. These simple things can reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness and make you more functional when it comes time to participate in your choice of action.

It is also important to remember that Denver is essentially a desert. During the late part of August, Denver’s temperature is typically in the low 90s, with low humidity, and mild wind. These elements add up to quickly to dehydration. Couple that with physical exertion and before you know it you can find yourself in a state of heat exhaustion. Untreated heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is bad (to state it very mildly).

Heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are simple to avoid. Take regular breaks in the shade, eat regular meals, and most importantly drink plenty of water. Keep caffeinated beverages to a minimum as well as alcohol. Coffee and booze actually serve to dehydrate you.

Like our cohorts in Mpls, we recommend that every affinity group have a medic. The Colorado Street Medics would like to see this medic be responsible for keeping information related to prescription medications as well as health information for individuals within an affinity group. This makes vital health information readily accessible in case someone who has special medical concerns happens to be arrested. Keeping track of your affinity group, their food and water intake, their rest and their general well being is a stressful job, so make sure you are taking care of yourself as well. When you get in to Denver, check in with the street medics and let us know if you need anything or have any concerns.

Denver will be a great action and keeping yourself healthy is important to having an empowering experience. Keep hydrated, eat regularly and healthfully, get good rest often and understand that you physical abilities may have limitations that you do not expect. Also, please wear sunscreen. Altitude plus prolonged sun exposure equals very bad sun burns. People who only tan at seal level will burn (badly) in Colorado. The Colorado Street Medics condone liberal use of sunscreen, preferably water based. However if all you have is oil based, PLEASE WEAR IT. It boils down to this, would you rather have someone decontaminate you from chemical irritants with your normal skin, or with skin that has been badly sun burnt? We know which we would rather treat.

See you soon!

Much love,
The Colorado Street Medics