Medical Pirates and OutFood: Research that improves safety at high altitude
When it comes to high altitude adventures, the challenge is not only dealing with the cold or fatigue, but also how our bodies adapt to the decrease in oxygen in the air. Above 2,500 meters, the reduction in atmospheric pressure means that we can inhale less oxygen, with consequences that can range from altitude sickness to serious conditions such as cerebral and pulmonary edema. These disorders, if not recognized and treated promptly, can represent a serious danger for mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts.
This is where the innovative work of Medical comes into play. Pirates, a group of young doctors, researchers and mountain rescue technicians specialized in emergency medicine and mountain medicine. United by their passion for exploration and scientific research in extreme conditions, they decided to bring science to the highest peaks in the world, to study and develop new therapeutic protocols aimed at effectively preventing and treating high-altitude pathologies.
Who are the Medical Pirates?
The Medical Pirates are a team of professionals who combine medical experience, research and a spirit of adventure. Among them are emergency physicians, surgical residents and mountain rescue technicians who have chosen to dedicate themselves to a little-explored but fundamentally important area of research: mountain safety at high altitudes. Their mission is to deepen the understanding of altitude sickness and its complications, to offer innovative and concrete solutions to those who venture to high altitudes.
The search between Mont Blanc and Aconcagua
Starting from Mont Blanc, the Medical Pirates set up a laboratory at 3,500 meters, using the Courmayeur–Punta Helbronner cable car to transport all the material needed for research. Here they began testing an innovative protocol that uses Cpap masks and expiratory resistance devices, tools capable of rapidly improving oxygen saturation in the blood and alleviating the symptoms of altitude sickness even with a short use of a few minutes.
To take the research to the next level, the team tackled the highest peak in the Americas: Aconcagua, with its 7,000 meters of altitude reachable without complex mountaineering techniques. The expedition, which started in February 2025 and was sponsored by scientific bodies such as the Italian Alpine Club (CAI), the Italian Society of Extreme Environment Medicine (SIMAE) and the University of Zurich, allowed the protocols to be tested in extreme conditions, collecting valuable data for the international scientific community.
During the expedition, tests were conducted at various altitudes (4,300, 5,500 and 6,000 meters), confirming the effectiveness of the masks and devices used, with immediate improvements in oxygen saturation and a significant reduction in symptoms related to altitude sickness. In addition to the research, the expedition concluded with the donation of emergency drugs to the local community, underlining the social commitment of the project.
OutFood: Partner of Adventure and Science
We at OutFood are proud to have supported the Medical Pirates in this extraordinary undertaking. For us, adventure is synonymous with passion, preparation and respect for the environment and the human body. Our products are designed for those who love to explore and overcome their limits, just like those who dedicate themselves to this innovative research at high altitude.
We firmly believe that the combination of science and spirit of adventure is the key to facing the most difficult challenges, and we are happy to accompany the Medical Pitares on their journey, contributing to improving the safety of those who love to experience the mountains in a conscious and prepared way.
