Into Thin Air

Synopsis: This programme looks at the physical and mental effects that high altitude has on the body of climbers. Tim Malyon investigates the psychological drive, the physiological consequences and the payoffs of climbing above 8000 meters.

In a laboratory at the top of the Swiss Alps, a team of researchers is examining the key links between high altitude and the sudden and unexpected changes our cardiac and respiratory systems undergo . They are striving to gain insight into similar symptoms, such as cardiac hypertension (altitude sickness) seen in individuals with cardiac and respiratory illness back down on the ground. But this research is helping to work out how to tame the identical symptoms of climbers at 8K. Severe mountain sickness is capable of altering your mental state and climbers such as Steve Venables recall memory interference, hallucinations and extremes of depression and elation.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Year of release: 2005
Year of production: 2003
Notes: Broadcast on Radio 4 on 23/5/2003
Subjects: Medical sciences; Sports science
Keywords: altitude sickness; cardiology; clinical psychology; mountaineering; physiology - human

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British Universities Film & Video Council