Medical Fitness Policy

Each participant is responsible for assessing whether the journey is suitable for their health, fitness, experience, and personal circumstances. Namla descriptions and staff discussions are operational guidance, not a medical diagnosis or clearance.

Obtain advice from a qualified medical professional who understands the planned activity, maximum altitude, remoteness, duration, temperature, technical demands, and limits of rescue. General fitness does not guarantee safe acclimatisation.

Provide accurate information about any condition, symptom, disability, allergy, previous altitude illness, injury, surgery, pregnancy, medication, treatment, mental-health concern, substance dependency, or other issue that could affect participation, emergency care, or the safety of the team.

Disclosure is continuous. Tell us about a relevant change after booking and report new or worsening symptoms during the journey. Withholding material information may invalidate insurance, delay care, or lead to removal without refund.

We may require a health declaration, physician-completed certificate, specialist opinion, recent test, or additional assessment based on the itinerary, participant information, or a material change in health.

A certificate does not transfer responsibility for fitness to the doctor or Namla and does not guarantee participation. We may seek clarification, subject to consent and privacy requirements, where the information is incomplete or inconsistent with the trip demands.

Altitude illness can affect fit and experienced people. Early symptoms may include headache, unusual fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, disturbed sleep, dizziness, or reduced performance. Severe breathlessness, loss of coordination, confusion, or altered consciousness requires urgent action.

Report symptoms honestly and promptly. The field leader may pause ascent, change the acclimatisation plan, require descent, administer route-appropriate first aid, or seek evacuation. A pulse-oximeter number or medication does not override symptoms or guide assessment.

Remote routes may be days from definitive care. Communications, transport, oxygen, medication, diagnostic equipment, and trained medical personnel are limited. Participation means accepting these constraints under the Liability Waiver & Assumption of Risk.

Bring an adequate supply of prescribed medication in original or clearly labelled packaging, plus reasonable contingency supply. Keep critical medication in hand luggage and the daypack, protected from temperature, moisture, loss, and delay.

Tell the leader where emergency medication is carried and provide clear instructions where appropriate. You are responsible for checking legality, storage, interactions, altitude effects, and entry requirements with a qualified professional and the relevant authorities.

Namla cannot guarantee a specific medicine, oxygen system, or treatment will be available and staff do not prescribe personal preventive medication unless appropriately qualified and authorised.

Tell us about mobility, sensory, communication, dietary, cognitive, or other needs before booking. We will discuss reasonable adjustments that are practical for the route, staff, transport, accommodation, permits, and emergency plan.

Remote mountain infrastructure may not support every adjustment. We will not exclude a participant solely because of a disclosed condition, but may decline or modify a booking where the essential activity cannot be performed safely even with reasonable planning.

Medical information is handled as sensitive operational information. Access is limited to staff, guides, medical or rescue providers, insurers, authorities, and suppliers who reasonably need it for assessment, preparation, care, permits, or emergency response.

We retain and protect information in line with the Privacy Policy and legal or insurance requirements. In an emergency, we may share relevant information without further consent where reasonably necessary to protect life or health.

Namla may refuse, postpone, modify, or end participation where medical information is not supplied, clearance is inadequate, a condition materially changes, the participant cannot perform essential tasks, or continued participation creates an unacceptable risk.

The participant is responsible for costs resulting from a health-related change, treatment, evacuation, or early departure and should claim through their insurer. Refunds, if any, are handled under the Cancellation & Refund Policy.

If you cannot communicate a decision, you authorise reasonable first aid, medical consultation, transport, evacuation, and disclosure of relevant information arranged in good faith by Namla or the field leader. Medical professionals and providers remain responsible for their own clinical decisions.