How a Man Survived a Crisis at 8,000 Meters
In 2013, Yuichiro Miura at his 80 stood on the top of Mt. Everest (with the height of 8,848 meters (29,029 ft)) for his third time but as the oldest man who accomplished this great feat. But he had succeeded in reaching the summit of Mt. Everest in 2008 at his 75. Even in 2003 Miura at 70 had stood on the top of Mt. Everest as the oldest man at the time together with his second-eldest son Gota. But Miura is mostly known as the skier who skied down the slope of Mt. Everest from a 8,000 meter point as recorded in the 1975 film named The Man Who Skied Down Everest. Yet, Miura's son might be a hero as a man who survived a crisis at 8,000 meters.
When Yuichiro was climbing up Mt. Everest in 2008 with his son Gota who accompanied Yuichiro for assistance in case, Gota suffered from altitude sickness at a point over 8,000 metes and was about to almost lose his life, but was narrowly saved by taking Decadron (dexamethasone) for himself, which he happed to carry with him as he had read the book "Last Breath" telling how a climber suffering altitude sickness was saved by taking Decadron.
Gota went up to a 7500 meter level without oxygen as he had done so in 2003, but started to take about 2 liters of oxygen per minute when he passed a 8,000 meter level as with his old father. After that, he felt discomfort and breathing difficulty. Gota decided to go down with help from local guides, while his father Yuichiro continued ascending as he aimed at securing the honor as the oldest man who stood on the summit of Mt. Everest.
A device that indicated oxygen saturation (SpO2) of Gota's arterial blood showed the value of 52% (normally 90%). The oxygen bottle he was using showed 150 atmospheric pressure as the remaining pressure. He tried to calculate how long oxygen could be taken from the bottle based on the formula of (amount of oxygen x remaining pressure) / (flow rate of oxygen per minute). But his brain could not work.
To cure himself, Gota took an injection of Decadron by himself and started to take 4 liters per minute oxygen. He called a medical doctor who stood by in Japan via a satellite phone from the slope of Mt. Everest and got advice to get another shot 2 hours later. Then he continued descending to an intermediate camp while hearing a Japanese voice of someone importunately calling to him, "Don't rest. Hurry up. Go back to the camp!" It is a kind of near-death experience. With effect of Decadron and 4 liters of oxygen per minute, he finally survived.
Climbers who suffered cerebral edema at the altitude of 8,000 meters or above surely came to a miserable end. But Gota could remarkably survive due to the mysterious voice, which made him forget a fear of death, persistently encouraging him to continue descending in addition to Decadron and 4 litters per minute oxygen.
This episode might be useful for patients suffering from corona viruses and needing artificial respirators. Appropriate medicines such as Decadron, enough oxygen, and encouraging and comforting voices like one coming from one's father must save such patients.
NOTE: Decadron (dexamethasone) is a corticosteroid, similar to a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands, used to treat arthritis, skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, intestinal disorders, severe allergies, and asthma. Decadron is also used to treat certain types of cancer and occasionally, cerebral edema. The brand name Decadron is no longer available in the U.S; it may be available as a generic.
(https://www.rxlist.com/decadron-drug.htm)
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Luke 10 King James Version
3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.