Altitude and your health

The San Pedro Martir National Astronomical Observatory (OAN-SPM) is situated at an altitude of 2800 meters above sea level, altitude at which the oxygen level decreases significantly. Moreover, getting around the observatory requires walking. For these reasons, it is not recommended that visitors with impediments (anemia, heart disease, respiratory problems, etc.) visit the site. If you have questions about whether or not visit the observatory, first consult with your doctor.

It is recommended that:

♦  Visitors of advanced age.

♦  Visibly ill.

♦  Minors who are not accompained by and adult who is the only responsible for fullfilling the requirements presented here.

♦  People with physical disabilities if they are not accompained by someone who will provide the necessary support.

Consider the following:

♦  The OAN-SPM is not responsible for any deterioration of health that can arise within its facilities.

♦  The OAN-SPM has no medical assistance available.

♦  Please note that the nearest hospital is more than two hours by car.

♦  If symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, tinnitus, ear popping or headache occurr during your visit, please let your tourist guide or the OAN-SPM Head of Operations know immediately.

Medical recommentations

Prior to your trip to the OAN-SPM:

♦  DO NOT eat heavy meals, preferably drive up to to the observatory with eight hours of fasting.

♦  DO NOT drink alcohol for 24 hours before the trip.

♦  DO NOT drive up in conditions of fatigue, stress of lack of sleep.

♦  DO NOT ascend the sierra if you have a viral infection (eg. Common cold).

♦  Have an adequate hydration before the rise.

♦  Physical activity a week before the rise improves symptoms because striated muscles will introduce changes that improve your energy metabolism.

During the ascent to OAN-SPM:

♦  Ascend slowly.

♦  Pause every 10 minutes every or 600 meters of elevation.

♦  Drink lots of fluids.

At the OAN-SPM:

♦  DO NOT drink alcohol.

♦  DO NOT smoke.

♦  DO NOT use sedatives of system depressants.

♦  DO NOT consume alkali antiacids (AlOH, MgOH)

♦  Avoid naps throughout the day and keep a minimum eigh-hour sleep schedule.

♦  Increase consumption of simple carbohydrates during the first three days.

♦  Avoid heavy meals during the first two days of stay.

♦  Drinking coffee and tea may help with the symptoms of altitude sickness due to diuretic and stimulant effects on the central nervous system.

 

Who should not go to the observatory?

Avoid without exception driving up the sierra (or visit the OAN-SPM) if you have any of the following diseases:

♦  Hypertension

♦  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

♦  High cardiovascular risk and heart disease.

♦  Anaemia.

 

Equipment

♦  Take precautions. It is advisable to use caps, sunglasses and sunscreens to protect you from the solar radiation (particularly high at 2800m above sea level).

♦  Due to the low levels of humidity that can occur at the OAN-SPM site, you should carry sufficient liquid (water or juices) to prevent dehydration.

♦  There is no place to buy food of fuel at the observatory.

♦  Bring comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear.

♦  Make sure to bring warm clothes if the weather suddenly changes.

Transportation

♦  The OAN-SPM does not provide transportation for visitors, only for observers/astronomers.

♦  Every visitor should arrive on their own to the observatory, there is no public transport.

♦  Note that the observatory is at 2800 meters and that the access to it is by high mountain road. Therefore, please calculate properly the time of your arrival to the observatory.

♦  Check the condition of your car before starting the journey. The nearest shop where reparations are possible is more than 100 kilometers away.

♦  Fill the fuel tank before leaving the Transpeninsular highway. The nearest gas station to the observatory is located over 100 kilometers away.