MCA FORM 5: Physician’s Certificate

Your patient, ________________________________________________________________________
(Please print patient's full name)

has been accepted as a member of a high altitude mountaineering expedition. Please ask him/her to describe the type of expedition that is planned. This expedition involves high altitude climbing and possible cold temperatures, along with the dangers from altitude sickness, accidents, and illness in a remote area. Professional medical help may be days away. All participants must be in satisfactory physical condition and be mentally stable. In addition, we recommend that participants carry certain prescription drugs with themselves in their personal medical kit. Possible drugs to consider may include the following, and others:

1) Antibiotic for upper respiratory problems; 2) Antibiotic for GI problems; 3) Diamox for acclimatization
(125 mg tabs recommended, enough for a week); 4) Sleeping pills for jet lag; 5) Tylenol 3 or similar for severe headaches; 6) Malaria Chemophrophylaxis, if needed based on travel plans; 7) Asthma medication, if any history.

For serious illness on high altitude expeditions nifedipine (for pulmonary edema) and dexamethasome (for cerebral edema) are standard treatment protocol in association with immediate descent.

Please assist your patient in obtaining these or other drugs that you would advise for extended travel in the third world away from western style medical care.

I, Doctor ____________________________________________________________________________
(Please print Doctor's full name)


have examined the above-named patient on this Date , _______________________________________
taking into consideration the activity in which he/she is going to engage and I have conducted the types of tests that I deem necessary under the circumstances. In my opinion, the patient is physically and mentally fit and able to participate in the activity.

Physician’s Comments, Reservations, Observations, if any (please use additional sheet if necessary.)
Please list any drugs that your patient should not be given:

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________


Signature of Physician: _________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

Phone(s): ___________________________________________________

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