What should you do first to care for someone with Acute Mountain Sickness?

The first step in caring for someone with Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is to descend to a lower altitude. This approach is vital because Acute Mountain Sickness occurs when you ascend to higher altitudes too quickly without allowing your body to acclimatize. By going to a lower altitude, you reduce the severity of the symptoms and address the underlying problem of decreased oxygen availability.

While promoting rest and keeping the person warm can be supportive measures, they do not address the root cause of AMS. Staying at the same altitude may prolong or worsen the symptoms, and administering medication for nausea may provide temporary relief but does not resolve the physiological issues caused by high altitude. Therefore, promptly descending to a lower altitude is the most effective and crucial step in managing Acute Mountain Sickness.