From Climbing Mountains To Other Extremes: How To Prepare For High-Risk Decisions

“One of the best parts of being a human being is the fact that we have an amazing spirit of adventure”

Dr. Marcus Ranney

Humans have come a long way. We have evolved into beings that are more resilient, more ambitious, more daring and bold, and more adventurous. We are continuously in the process of discovering ourselves, and this discovery of our body—and what it can do and how we can achieve things—happens when we challenge and push ourselves to be better than what we were yesterday.?

In my enthralling conversation with Shayamal Vallabhjee—author, sports scientist, and performance coach—on his podcast Perishable Wisdom we discussed the importance of risk preparedness when setting out to do high-risk tasks. We discussed real life examples from my book ‘At The Human Edge,? to delve into what happens physiologically and psychologically during these situations. To know more, keep reading on and don’t forget to listen to our entire conversation here to unravel the mysteries of the human body.?

Risk Preparedness: What, Why, and How

Whenever we set out to do a challenge, we always try to understand the task, evaluate the pros and cons of doing it, try to determine the things that can go wrong and the solutions for them. This is even more true in the case of extreme sports that tend to have a life and death aspect to them. When we evaluate the potential risks and try to overcome them, the challenge becomes safer and more enjoyable without the dire complications like severe injuries, legal complications, threat to self, etc.?

Though it is admirable that a person would want to participate in such events, it is reckless to start on a challenge without knowing what you are dealing with. To properly prepare for any extreme sports, you need to:

1. Establish the context: ?By context, I mean the situation you are putting yourself in. Let’s say, you want to climb Mount Everest. You need to understand the geography of the place, where each base camp is situated, the temperature, the altitude, where and when you can get access to emergency help, how many people will accompany you, and what they should be proficient in. For a task like climbing Everest you also need to know about the laws, permits, fees that allow you to climb. You can’t get started without understanding these basics first.
2. Identify and analyze the risk: A feat like climbing Everest will have a plethora of complications–from getting the permits and environmental conditions to biological and psychological limits. It is important to understand and research about the people who have done this, how they did it, and what challenges they faced. It is important to know and understand your individual differences and shortcomings physically and mentally, and how you can upgrade them as well as the other people in your team. You have to make a thorough list of things that can go wrong—the ‘what ifs..’??

After analyzing it is important to know what systems are in place that can overcome them. Previous accounts can help you get an insight on what risks were present and how they were overcome to a great extent. A list can be made from low risk to severe risks and what kind of action is required to take care of it. For example, high altitude cerebral or pulmonary edema is a common threat that can happen while climbing peaks. It is a condition in which fluid starts accumulating in the head or lungs. It is important to understand the telltale signs as well so that quick action can be taken.?

1. Monitor and review: During the climb, it is important to communicate with your fellow team members and share even the most minute changes in the situation and whether there can be any solutions if it gets worse. For example, the higher you climb the mountain, the thinner the air becomes, so you can only move further if you take adequate measures to tackle this problem.

I also think this approach can be applied to our day to day life. There may be goals you want to achieve, and at times, without giving much thought you jump into it due to the initial rush of excitement and burst of energy without understanding the depth of the situation and risks involved.?

It could be quitting your job to start a business without considering the financial and personal obligations. It could be reading about a stringent diet and following it the very next day without consulting a doctor, understanding the whys and how's of the diet and how your body would react to it. It could even be attempting popular adrenaline-boosting activities like bungee jumping or scuba diving without giving much thought on the risks involved there too. Or like now, going out to crowded areas without wearing a mask even though COVID-19 is still present and very much potent.?

So before making any life changes, big or small it is better to understand the situation you will put yourself in, consult with people or get information regarding the situation, know the reason behind why you want to achieve this goal and how ready you are for it, emotionally, physically, financially and how will doing that activity affect other people in your life and your surroundings.?

The Psychology of High Risk Takers

“Our brain can override physiology if there is a target in mind”?

Shayamal Vallabhjee?

So what makes a person daring enough to climb Everest, dive into the deepest parts of the ocean, or explore the vast and empty space? It all actually comes down to the human brain.?

When people engage in risk-taking behaviors, there is a surge of adrenaline. This then releases dopamine, which is the pleasure hormone which motivates us to finish a task so that we feel good about the rewards. Our brains can get addicted to dopamine which is why some people engage in risk-taking behaviors so as to feel the surge of this hormone.?

Another reason for this may be a personality trait that is characteristic of sensation seeking. It is the pursuit of novel, intense, and complex sensations and experiences, and the willingness to take risks for the sake of such experience. Other personality traits are of people who are hyperactive or have high sociability (tendency to perform behaviors to fit in) and have climbed Mount Everest has increased exponentially over the years.?

There has also been an increase in FOMO or the “Fear of Missing out”. This can lead to unhealthy comparisons with people who may have done the goals you want to achieve especially if you share a social connection with them. This can lead to negative thoughts about ourselves and our abilities. In order to overcome this feeling, you may just jump ahead to perform these tasks without thinking about the many things one has to do and learn beforehand.?

Setting out challenges for yourself is admirable, and being influenced by people can be a stepping stone to achieve something great. However, it is always important to understand why you want to do that and whether it aligns with your long-term goals and values. Lastly nothing should be done with haste. It is alright to be spontaneous but not at the cost of your or others’ own life. Being prepared for what is to come, yet always trying to see life as an adventure, allows you to remain happy, healthy and safe for a long time in your life.?

How can you get started?

To get started on your adventurous journey towards a healthier and longer life by focusing on health and wellbeing, the best way forward is to speak to a physician.?

You can book a session with me, and we can chat about getting you started on your health journey.??

This newsletter is a part of our ongoing series.