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Subject: SaO2 levels at altitude.
Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 10:40:54 -0800
Message-ID: <D32786B4C9CB8C4AB70680F761506575030EDF@dewey.Cadwell.cadwell.com>
Thread-Topic: SaO2 levels at altitude.
Thread-Index: AcGzLBKAGl/Brb3sT/2a4y3ZqxJffw==
From: "Carl Cadwell" <CarlC@Cadwell.com>
To: <Lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com

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From Fred Moreno's post:
"I spoke to John Forker who flew his Lancair IV to California from New
Zealand.  John had an oximeter aboard and did a lot of testing to
relieve the boredom of long over water flight.  He found that by more
rapid, "manually controlled" breathing at a more rapid rate, he could
hold his blood oxygen levels in the 90's even at higher altitudes (in
the teens, as I recall) without oxygen.  But it required continuous
effort and monitoring of the oximeter."

Before I flew with the IVP, I flew a Bonanza and had similar findings:
1.	Using controlled conscious deep breathing (lot better than
unconscious breathing), I could raise my SaO2 (Blood oxygen levels
measusred with a Nonin pulse oximeter) saturation about 5% points.  This
was true whether I was on O2 or not.  So even at 14,000 I could maintain
my O2 around 92-94% without O2.  I did not use rapid breathing, just
consciously deep breathing filling the entire chest cavity.
2.	It is my understanding from mountain climbers, if you also purse
your lips as you exhale, you can also increase the partial pressure in
your lungs and increase your SaO2.  I have never measured this.  It is
really annoying to do this into your headset, so I did not verify this
flying.

Conclusion:=20
1.	If you are stuck high, lost your pressurization, and your O2 is
out, then use deep breathing and purse your lips as you exhale.  It will
probably do 2 things: keep your mind clearer and force you to calm down.
2.	If you are non pressurized, this is good practice whether on O2
or not.
3.	Carry or borrow an oximeter and find out how your body responds
at altitude.

Carl Cadwell  N25CL

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