1. What is the "Philmont Medical Form?"

The "Philmont Medical Form" is a short name for the official 6-page Philmont Health and Medical Record required for all participants.

 

2. Can a physical form from school or from summer camp be used at Philmont in place of the Philmont Health and Medical Record?

NO, the specific Philmont Health and Medical Record form is required for all participants, and absolutely no substitute is accepted.  Patriots’ Path Council recommends that no physical activities (day hikes or overnight campouts) be undertaken without the advisors’ full knowledge of the medical status of each member of the crew, both youth and adults.  This is best accomplished by having the Philmont Health and Medical Record completed and certified by a doctor as soon as possible and prior to any physical activities.  If that is not possible (insurance issues usually), then the participant portions of the Philmont form (pages 4 and 5) should be completed and a copy given to the Crew Advisor along with a copy of the most recent school or camp physical until such time as the Philmont Medical Form is completed.

 

3. What are Philmont's rules regarding the date of a participants physical?

Philmont requires that the physical be performed within 12 months of the participation date.

 

4. Can a photocopy of the Philmont Medical Form is used in place of an original?

Patriots’ Path Council is unable to recommend any deviation from the Philmont list of requirements, one of which is an original, intact, and fully completed Philmont Health and Medical Record  The Philmont Camping & Medical Department must be called (575-376-2281, note-new area code) in advance for instructions if an original Philmont Medical Form is unavailable.

 

5. Is it possible to get additional copies of the Philmont Medical Form?

Contact the Watchu Administrator to see if additional forms are available.

 

6. What are common problems regarding the Philmont Health and Medical Record that occur during the medical re-check at Philmont?

Common problems with the Philmont Medical Form during the medical re-check on Day 1 at Philmont include:

 separating the pages of the form

 the failure to complete EVERY line (using "NA" for items that are "not applicable")

 not signing and dating the form (including the parent's signature on forms for youth members of the crew)

 not attaching photocopies of the front and back of medical insurance cards

 the doctor's name and contact information being illegible. HINT: Attach a business card if available.

 

The adult advisors are responsible for reviewing and making sure all medical forms for their crew are correct and complete BEFORE departing for Philmont.  NOTE: "Other" should used on the "Religious Preference" line if the crew member is not a member of a particular religion, rather than "NA" or "none." Download a sample of the latest Philmont Health and Medical Record.

 

7. What are the procedures for handling prescription drugs or other medications at Philmont?

Each crew member who has a condition requiring medication must bring an appropriate supply to Philmont.  All prescription medications must be listed on Page 5 of the medical form, and must be taken to the Health Lodge during the medical re-check on Day 1 at Philmont.  The use of medications at Philmont is an issue between each individual and the Philmont Medical Staff, and advisors should not administer any medications except as authorized by the parents and Philmont.

 

8. What are Philmont's recommendations for individuals with health issues such as diabetes, asthma, etc?

The Philmont Health and Medical Record includes discussions of a number of medical issues such as these.  Each participant and his physician should read all of the risk advisories, recommendations, and limitations on the form.  The Philmont Medical Staff should be contacted in advance at 575-376-2281 (note-new area code) regarding specific questions.  Philmont strictly enforces their medical rules for safety and security.

 

9. What if a crew member's weight doesn’t meet Philmont’s standards but he or she is in good health?

There are no exceptions to the maximum weight (for their height) for crew members 21 years old and over.  However, in the past the Philmont Health and Medical Record form has stated, “The Philmont physicians will use their best professional judgment in determining participation in a Philmont trek by individuals under 21 years of age who exceed the maximum acceptable weight for height.  Participants under 21 years of age are strongly recommended to meet the weight limit for their height, and exceptions are not made automatically and the maximum allowable exception will be 20 lbs.  Discussions in advance with Philmont regarding any exception to the weight limit for persons under 21 years of age is required, whether it is over or under.”  The current Philmont Health and Medical Record form should be consulted for further guidance.

 

10. What are Philmont's policies regarding high blood pressure?

Each individual over 18 years of age will have his or her blood pressure taken during the medical re-check prior to being allowed into the backcountry.  Persons coming to Philmont should have a normal blood pressure (less than 140/90). The Philmont Health and Medical Record states that "individuals with blood pressure consistently greater than 160/100 will be kept off the trail until their blood pressure decreases." Since altitude, excitement /anticipation, stress, and just the disruption of travel compared to one's normal routine all can raise blood pressure above what it would be otherwise, the form notes that "individuals with significant hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140/90) should be treated and controlled before coming to Philmont." Click HERE to view a portion of the the current Philmont Health and Medical Record form.

 

11. What are Philmont's policies regarding weight limits for backpacking and hiking?

Each participant in a Philmont trek must not exceed the maximum acceptable weigh limit for their height. This policy is strictly enforced. Click HERE to view a portion of the Philmont Health and Medical Record on the issue. If there any questions about the policy or and individual's condition, please consult the Philmont medical department at 575-376-2281 (note-new area code).

 

12. How are special dietary needs for a crew member handled?

This question requires two answers.

 

WHILE ON TOUR:  For those with special needs, work with the crew's advisor who will inform the tour operator in advance.  Be prepared to bring limited items from home, as needed.

 

WHILE AT PHILMONT:  The Medical Department at Philmont (575-376-2281, ) MUST be consulted when there are medical or religious issues with food.  They can provide a comprehensive list of the contents of each food item being served in the trail menus (see the prior year Trail Menu posted on this Web site at 'Trek Preparation')  Also, optional vegetarian meals are available at the dining hall.  When there are issues, be prepared to bring food items from home to supplement or replace Philmont food items.  Such supplemental trail food items must be delivered to the Logistics Department during the check-in process, who will have the items delivered to commissaries where the crew normal food pickups will be made.

 

13. How can one tell which Philmont meals will be picked up at each commissary stop during a trek?

The Philmont Trail Menu has different meals for ten (10) days, which correspond to the ten days in the backcountry during a Philmont trek.  In June and July the meals are issued based on the last digit of the date – Meals #9 for the 9^th, 19^th, and 29^th, Meals #10 on the 10^th, 20^th, and 30^th, etc. (in August, the meal numbers are one greater than the date to avoid having Meals #1 twice in a row on July 31 and August 1).  A pickup is for that day's supper and the following day's breakfast and lunch, since a crew may not arrive at a commissary until after lunch.  So, for instance, at a pickup on July 22 a crew would get Supper #2 for that evening, and Breakfast #3 and Lunch #3 for the following day.

 

14. Is altitude sickness a problem at Philmont?

While no one can say who will or will not have altitude sickness, also called “Acute Mountain Sickness” (AMS), very few people attending Philmont in the past few years have reported problems.  All treks since 2000 have been designed to be below 10,000' for the first two nights on the trail.  With gradual acclimation through programs like Patriots’ Path Council’s Colorado tour and Philmont's policy of lower elevation camps at the beginning of the trek, there has been a reduction in reported cases of AMS.

 

15. What are the symptoms and treatment for altitude or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)?

One of the main symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness is headache.  It may be possible to help prevent or minimize AMS by doing the following before arriving in New Mexico:

     ·    Get regular vigorous exercise to condition your lungs and your body

     ·   Drinking plenty of fluids while avoiding alcohol several days before traveling

     ·   Acclimate yourself gradually to higher elevations to give your body time to adapt.

In the unlikely event of AMS in Colorado or at Philmont, the mainstay of treatment is rest, fluids, and mild analgesics such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen.  Persons with a history of AMS may wish to consult their physician AND the medical staff at Philmont about a prescription drug called Diamox.

 

16. How should crew advisors manage the Philmont Medical Forms for crew members when traveling to Philmont?

The lead Advisor is the keeper of the original, intact, completed and unaltered 6-page record, with a photocopy of both sides of the crew member’s medical insurance card, and hand carries the entire crew’s medical records to Philmont.  Warning!  Do not separate or in any way alter the original 6-page Philmont Medical Record.  Philmont will only accept the original unaltered 6-page record.

 

In addition, each member of the crew should have in their carry-on bag a copy of their record and both sides of their insurance card in case of an emergency during travel to and from Philmont.  A second copy of each crew member’s medical record should be left at home with the family or someone else who will be available by telephone the day of arrival at Philmont AND who has access to a fax machine.  A third copy of the form, including both sides of the medical insurance card, is needed to make a complete set of back-up copies that will be carried to Philmont by a second advisor.

 

17. When making photocopies of the Philmont Medical Form, do all 6 pages need to be copied?

It is necessary to copy only the pages containing participant data (pages 3, 4, and 5) and both sides of the crew member’s medical insurance card.  However, keep the original record intact, not separating the pages, when making copies.

 

18. Can the Wilderness First Aid patch be worn on a Class A uniform?

The patch should not be worn on the BSA uniform. It comes under the heading of “Participation and Achievement”, reference the BSA Insignia Guide 2007-2008. Recommended examples of placement would be on equipment (such as a backpack), a jacket or sweater, or a BSA patch vest.