Hypoxia

[Danb]

In light of the tragic accidents this summer involving hypoxia, my question does anyone know where in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic area where training and/or a chamber is located so we may get some needed training on flight into the higher altitudes...

[M20F]

I am all in favor of going through the chamber but really there are two key things. Pulse Ox meter which you check at regular intervals and having two oxygen sources. I would add a third consideration which those with Acclaims, Rockets, etc. can comment on but in my normalized F anything above FL20 produces diminishing returns and the control surfaces are sluggish, when you start getting FL240 and above it is a whole different ball game. For the most part non-turbine GA airplanes don't have hypoxia issues because you just don't get high enough where oxygen happens rapidly.

[N201MKTurbo]

I have an oxygen generator from a scraped Piper Malabu. I keep it under my seat. Found it on ebay for $20

[Houman]

Well I kind of bought new masks and cannula last week before the latest accident, they are cheap if you already have the regulators. I also bought better oximeters with alarms today, there is actually one with a cord that I can attach to my son's finger on the back seat and I can monitor his heart rate and O2 levels, even tough I don't plan to go so high when he is with me.

I have a portable tank, but ordered a small emergency tank, now I know I probably don't need it all, but all and all, it costed me less than 750$, I think my life and anyone else with me is worth more...

I have never ever been higher than 15 000, but plan on going to FL200 or to the FL240 that is the max for the aircraft with a qualified instructor and with checked equipement and backup, I want to see how the Rocket with it's turbo performs at those altitudes...

Any advice before I do that ?

[carusoam]

N201mkturbo,

An aviation oxygen generator?

I am familiar with the ground bound variety...

Just wondering...

-a-

[cliffy]

If its the typical "in the seat" O2 generator it gets very hot when making O2. It is classified as "hazmat" 

It is what brought down the ValueJet DC-9 many years ago in the Florida swamps. 

Be very careful with that in your airplane. 

BTW, the Captain on that DC-9 was my best friend. 

[MB65E]

Form HY- not sure what masks you just purchased but just make sure the masks seal up well on your face. I once had a Legacy at FL240 with masks and it was just not for me. We ended up descending. Basic g430 operation was difficult as the oxy meter showed. Unpressurized, it's just depends on the person on what levels they can acclimate to. Be careful! 16-18k might be a better bet.

I don't have much experience that high in a single unpressurized piston. Enough to know it was no joke. Other guys here might have better tips.

-Matt

[carusoam]

Cliffy,

Those were the chemical version... Yes, very hot!

The in home version of O2 concentrator is what I was thinking of. About the same size as dehumidifier and equally quiet too...

I got confused...

Sorry to hear about your best friend, that was tragic.

Best regards,

-a-

[Danb]

All of the above are good ideas,the purpose of this thread is to try to ascertain where on the east coast or mid atlantic area where we can get training in the chamber which may enlighten us on the onset feeling of hypoxia.....

[Houman]

All of the above are good ideas,the purpose of this thread is to try to ascertain where on the east coast or mid atlantic area where we can get training in the chamber which may enlighten us on the onset feeling of hypoxia.....

You are right, sorry did'nt meant to hijack the threat ( not sure we should use that term in an aviation forum ).

If you look couple of threads down, I asked the same question couple of days ago and there were couple of interesting suggestions that I will be looking into this week, I will call them up and post my findings on both threads...

[Danb]

Form...thanx.

[N201MKTurbo]

Yes, it looks like a hand grenade. It is in an assembly with a heat shield and a cheap yellow mask.

[N201MKTurbo]

I've had my Mooney to FL220. The turbo goes open loop up there. The MP is a bit unstable. Other then that it just fly's along.

[chrisk]

All of the above are good ideas,the purpose of this thread is to try to ascertain where on the east coast or mid atlantic area where we can get training in the chamber which may enlighten us on the onset feeling of hypoxia.....

 

I'm going to suggest something outside of the box.  And this might be a horrible idea, so I'll wait for the flames.   You have a personal altitude chamber.   Get another other pilot to take you up to FL220 in your plane.  Add a go-pro, some math problems, and don't wear a mask on the way up.  I assume at some point, you will put the mask back on.  Then once at altitude, pull the mask off and see how long it takes.

[DAVIDWH]

All this high altitude chamber hypoxia stuff can easily be reproduced on the ground in your own home.

 

Just place a clear plastic bag over your head secured with rubber bands and have a seat. Hypoxia first manifests itself as a bit giddy emotion followed by this is really a great feeling.

 

When your emotions of feel good heighten, have your wife release the rubber band seals around your neck and normalcy will be quickly restored.

 

Caution, do not try this if your name is Ray Rice or your spouse is not at the correct time in her monthly cycle.

 

Montani semper libre

[ArtVandelay]

All this high altitude chamber hypoxia stuff can easily be reproduced on the ground in your own home.

 

Just place a clear plastic bag over your head secured with rubber bands and have a seat. Hypoxia first manifests itself as a bit giddy emotion followed by this is really a great feeling.

 

When your emotions of feel good heighten, have your wife release the rubber band seals around your neck and normalcy will be quickly restored.

 

Caution, do not try this if your name is Ray Rice or your spouse is not at the correct time in her monthly cycle.

 

Montani semper libre

I'm curious, have you tried this??

 

I would get a O₂ meter, that way you can correspond with the readings, and can set a personal limit.

 

Why do you need the wife, forget the rubber band, and just hold the bag to your mouth

[ArtVandelay]

Regarding the plastic bag method, it won't work, because the CO₂ level will quick rise (remember Apollo 13), and your body reacts to it long before your O₂ % drops.

[bdjohn4]

I can arrange for a chamber ride for anyone willing to come to Duke University's Hyper/Hypobaric clinic/lab. Fly in to RDU (Raleigh-Durham NC). They do altitude runs all the time. We used to take people in the chamber from ambient (600 ft MSL or so) up to 30,000ft, and fast (and see if they got bends). NASA was paying for it.  The research protocol bent a lot of people doing that.

If we do it, we probably ought to have a gaggle of folks, for cost reasons.

JML

[Danb]

JML. I'd fly down to Duke in a heartbeat, if and when you can arrange it that would be an awesome service for our group..this is the type of response I was hoping for....

[Houman]

I can arrange for a chamber ride for anyone willing to come to Duke University's Hyper/Hypobaric clinic/lab. Fly in to RDU (Raleigh-Durham NC). They do altitude runs all the time. We used to take people in the chamber from ambient (600 ft MSL or so) up to 30,000ft, and fast (and see if they got bends). NASA was paying for it.  The research protocol bent a lot of people doing that.

If we do it, we probably ought to have a gaggle of folks, for cost reasons.

JML

Same here, I'm supposed to come down in October with couple of pilot friends to FFA, can we coordonate ?, I was thinking the weekend of 10th...