Oxymeters

Hi all high altitude pilots,

I've been using a Pulse-Ox 5500 oximeter for all wave flights over the
last few months and, as the Diner's Club advert says, "wouldn't leave
home without it". It has enabled me to calibrate my personal oxygen
take-up physiology so as to maintain satisfactory SPO2 levels at all
times. 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.
The only "problem" encountered so far was my announcement at FL 245
that I was commencing descent and blood oxygen saturation was 96% -
only I said "blood alcohol level" in error!! No wonder I wasn't
feeling the cold.

Geoff Vincent
Grampians Soaring Club
Australia

On Tue, 30 Aug 2005 10:23:36 GMT, "Vaughn"
wrote:


wrote in message
oups.com...
Gerhard,

I bought a Nonin oxymeter about four years ago and really like having
one for several reasons:

I have a Nonin oxymeter and find that it has a real visibility problem in
the cockpit when under full sun. The problem is that it uses a red LED display
(remember those early digital watches?) rather than an LCD display. Otherwise,
it is an amazing device.

While these portable units are good for occasional checks, a panel mounted
unit with an ear clip might allow continuous monitoring. Another idea (Bose are
you listening?) include an oxymeter with an audible alarm in an aviation
headset.

This is a link for oxymeters that showed up here a few months ago.
http://www.scantechmedical.com/pulse_oximeters.htm I have never done business
with them and have no connection.

Vaughn

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