Geoff Vincent wrote:

In particular it has emphasised the importance of a good
steady breathing routine to maintain steady SPO2 levels. It is very
easy to lapse into a lazy breathing routine and see your SPO2 levels
fall by 7-10 percentage points, usually when you can least afford it.

Like Geoff, I find I am sometimes a "lazy breather", and my saturation
percentage can drop below 90%, even at 10,000 feet. Steady, deeper
breathing raises it to about 94%. Using my EDS oxygen system while
breathing lazily at 10,000 feet doesn't raise it as much as the steady,
deeper breathing. Above 12,000 feet, the EDS system will raise it above
90% even with "shallow" breathing, and deeper breathing brings it up to
almost sea level percentage.

I don't feel any differently at 87% saturation than I do at 97%
saturation, so I routinely take the oximeter along if I will be flying
above 10,000 feet, and use it.

I use the Minolta Pulsox-3 because it has an LCD display, 40+ hour
battery life, and can be worn on my wrist, so it's easier to use for
longer periods. It works even when the sensor is worn on my thumb, which
makes it easier to move the flap handle, tune the radio, and tap on the
Ipaq screen.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA