What the Army has to does not apply. They are speaking in general terms, I am speaking in specifics.
I hike with a large diverse sample and have seen a lot of people go to elevation (11,500'+) for the first time. Generally, we are at 8,000' to 10,000' 15 hrs. + before going higher. I have seen people who don't have any problems in SoCal's Traverse Ranges, get debilitated in the Sierra with and without the aid of drugs.
You can't just take Diamox willy-nilly. Everyone has to find a dosing that works...and it ain't always what's commonly recommended.
wb, one could say that you ARE speaking in terms of specifics---you. And thus, it applies to nobody else.
I think Eugene's post of odds is right on.
Someone who doesn't know how their body responds is far more well served by an understanding of what happens to MOST people, than anecdotes about what happens to any individual. The specific anecdote may apply to someone very suseptible, or very resistant.
I've had an ongoing argument with a member who advocates that everyone should do as he does....except that he climbs 10k mountains weekly, and lives at 7k feet. His experience is NOT going to be the same as the AVERAGE person, who is not likely in that shape, and is certainly not that acclimatized.
I certainly agree with your thoughts about Diamox.
