Poorna, a young 13 years village girl from a remote village in Andra achieved a rare feet of climbing Mount Everest.
It was great morning of 25th May to India and to all Young People in the world. At 6 am on this day thirteen-year-old Malavath Poorna became the youngest girl to climb the world’s tallest peak - Mount Everest. She hoisted India flag and the photograph of Dalit leader Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Proona is from the Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (APSWREIS).
She recollects the 'ten commandments' that the 'Swaeroes' recite while in turbulent state which says
‘I am not inferior to anyone, I shall be a leader, I will think big and aim high, I will never give up'.
She observes six dead bodies while taking the tough climb - She was laredy tired and now afraid seeing dead next to her. She then recollected the above commandments in this adverse situation and mentally thanked her ‘Secretary Sir’ for given her the the courage and confidence to perform this rare feet. The IPS Officer R.S. Praveen
Kumar,is the "secretary Sir' of Poorna and the brains behind introducing adventure sports among many others
things into the curriculum as a confidence-building measure for the
youngsters who all come from poor backgrounds. Poona recollects the difficulties she encountered in her climb to Mount Everest - like high altitude dangers (lack of Oxygen, freezing situation) “I cannot even describe
how difficult the climb was, but I was fixed on fulfilling the dreams of
Secretary Sir,” Poorna, the daughter of Devidas and Laxmi, both
agricultural labourers, said.
She recalled the fears at high altitudes and how her team over came:
- Frostbite: At temperatures below 4°C (25°F) which is skin's freezing point and humans are at risk of frostbite. Frostbite is three degrees deep - frost nip, superficial frostbite, and deep frostbite. Frostbite in its first stage will not be recognizable because the affected area will be numb. At this stage the problem is curable with medical treatment. However, in severe frostbite, permanent damage is possible, depending on how long and how deeply the tissue is frozen. In severe cases, blood flow to the area may stop and blood vessels, muscles, nerves, tendons, and bones may be permanently affected. If the frozen tissue dies, the area may need to be amputated.
- Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): At altitudes above 8,200ft, human body receives less oxygen and blood flow to the brain increases causing swelling of the brain and the following symptoms will result.
- Headache
- Exhaustion
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): If the brain swelling is at higher levels it is a dangerous condition and known as high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Symptoms of HACE include:
- Profoundly inhibited mental function
- Hallucinations
- Loss of muscle coordination
- Impaired speech
- Severe headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Coma
Immediate treatment is either immediate descent or use of a hyperbolic oxygen chamber.
- High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) : At altitudes above 2500m or 8300 ft. - HAPE - flu like symptoms that will lead to death if left unattended At these altitudes body tries to get more oxygen by diverting more bloodflow to the lungs causing HAPE. The symptoms include
- Extreme difficulty breathing
- Very rapid breating rate
- Exhaustion
- Lack of motivation
- Pale complexion
- Constant coughing
- Gurgling sounds coming from chest
The best and recommended treatment to this adverse condition is enough rest time, as over-exertion multiplies the likelihood that this condition will strike. After the onset of symptoms, death can ensue extremely rapidly, so immediate descent is vital.
- Stepping in the wrong place and falling into crevasse.
- Lack of Oxygen cylinders
- Afternoon Storms
- Falls and avalanches