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In a message dated 2/11/2002 11:18:35 PM Mountain Standard Time, Ted Noel writes:

<< Gearge Braly points out that many people fly safely at SaO2's of 87%. While
this may be true, we must ask whether it is desirable. >>

I defer to Ted's obvious qualifications in this area.  Two personal observations, however.

1)  While climbing Mt. McKinley with 12 other people ten years ago -- most of us in our thirties -- we ascended at an average of 1000 feet per day so that we could acclimatize.  There was a Forest Service encampment at 14200 feet, which we reached after 7 days on the mountain.  We all stuck our fingers in the pulse oximeter and were amused to see that we were all around 87% - 89%.  We were strong, we continued to climb for another two weeks at even higher altitudes, and thought nothing of it.

2)  While flying back from Oshkosh two years ago in a friend's unpressurized Bonanza at about 10000 feet I felt tired and not entirely alert.  This improved when we descended.  I have no idea what my O2 sat was, but I knew it wasn't a good situation.  Plus, it was daylight, not night.

I'm planning on supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet, using the Mountain High system.  Amazing how a few years changes things.  Maybe the folks whe insist on reminding me that I'm not in my twenties anymore are on to something..... Nahhh!

I keep hoping for a huge discount at one of the shows, but haven't seen it yet....

- Rob Wolf

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