Oximeter

[ncdmtb]

Any recommendations for an oximeter? Any advice on best practice on how to use one?

[Alan Fox]

I just use oxygen any time I am over 7500 feet , I find it reduces fatigue , and just makes for a better flight..... 

[AmigOne]

Coincidentally yesterday I was testing my oxygen system with Nonin, saturation level was 96% on the ground, crossing 10K was 80% went on oxygen and raised it to 86% when I reached my intended level of 14.5K. Looking at the pictures now I'm very surprised to see that my pulse rate, normally between 55-65 was 102 (after that measurement came down to 96). I'm 72, do not smoke, maybe I have 10 lbs more than I should and play single tennis twice a week so this heart rate, if correct, was surprising. My understanding is that when flying we should try to keep the saturation level at or near 90%. BTW it took me 38 minutes to reach 14.5K, at that level had 19" of manifold and was showing 120 MPH. OAT 42F. The airplane did not feel mushy at all and I felt I could have gone another 2K at 500fpm.

[Marauder]

If your oxygen level is below a level needed to feed your respiratory system, I could see your heart rate being elevated to increase blood/oxygen flow due to the lowered oxygen adsorption level. I don't know what is normal, but my guess is your O2 level should be above 90%, probably closer to 95% if the oxygen system is working correctly.

[TLSDriver]

I use one regularly.  My application is fairly simple.  I note what my saturation is at my home airport. (That is where my body is acclimated) I turn the O2 on when my saturation level drops by 5-7 points.  About every 20-30 minutes I take another reading.  Bump the regulator higher or lower as needed.

 

Since we are all different I try to avoid making recommendations by altitude.   Your body will let you know what the correct altitude is for you to turn the hose on by using the oximeter.  

 

Over the years there have been more that a few people surprised to learn their saturation levels were much lower than they expected.  I think it is easy to take the regulations about using oxygen above 12,500 as an endorsement that below 12,500 we don't need it.  Legal and safe are not always the same thing.

 

Good luck and fly safe.

 

David

 

David

[N201MKTurbo]

I have a Nonin Onyx.

 

I try to keep my SPO2 above 90%.

 

Your body will try to keep your O2 level where it wants it by moving more blood through your lungs, thus the higher pulse rate. You can increase your SP02 by about 5% by the way you breathe. If you push as much air as possible out of your lungs when you exhale, and fill your lungs as deeply as possible when you inhale, it is like free oxygen. You need to do this a bit slower then your normal breathing rate.

 

If you are on a long trip and are bored, put on the Pulse Ox and see how high you can get it...

[AmigOne]

"If your oxygen level is below a level needed to feed your respiratory system, I could see your heart rate being elevated to increase blood/oxygen flow due to the lowered oxygen adsorption level. I don't know what is normal, but my guess is your O2 level should be above 90%, probably closer to 95% if the oxygen system is working correctly."

You are right, I should have adjusted the regulator but the truth is that it did not cross my mind that this was the reason because I had it set according to the chart. I don't think that I'd need to bring the absorption to the same value as sea level if 90% is considered physiologically adequate. At 90% I guess the O2 bottle will last a little longer.

[Marauder]

"If your oxygen level is below a level needed to feed your respiratory system, I could see your heart rate being elevated to increase blood/oxygen flow due to the lowered oxygen adsorption level. I don't know what is normal, but my guess is your O2 level should be above 90%, probably closer to 95% if the oxygen system is working correctly."You are right, I should have adjusted the regulator but the truth is that it did not cross my mind that this was the reason because I had it set according to the chart. I don't think that I'd need to bring the absorption to the same value as sea level if 90% is considered physiologically adequate. At 90% I guess the O2 bottle will last a little longer.

I have a portable system primarily for when I flew at night. I was always amazed at what an improvement it made in my night vision. I think each of us have different physiological requirements and I do know as Alan points out above, that if I am flying higher altitudes O2 also helps with fatigue. I guess I should get me one of them oxygen meters...

[N201MKTurbo]

If you have an old steam gauge panel (this probably won't work with a glass panel). While flying at night at 10000 or above, take off the oxygen and keep turning down the panel lights until you can just barely see the panel. Let your eyes adjust and then turn them down again.

 

Now put on the oxygen. It is amazing!

[davidsguerra]

im putting this in my new panel. it displays to the jpi 830

 

http://guardianavionics.com/455_101and455_101B.html

[rainman]

Sir, As I have noted in other threads, I use the QuickCheck Pro made by Oximeter Plus Inc. I have found it to be very accurate when compared to the hospital unit used at the clinic. It's also reasonably priced. Everyone's altitude tolerance is different for a host of reasons. It is best to monitor yourself to see at which altitude you drop near 90%. When I was in the military I had the chance to go in the altitude chamber a few times. It's scary how subtle the changes can be, and how different individuals were. There have been several studies in mountain climbers testing their oxygen saturation and problem solving skills.....again dramatic. Try to stay at or above 90%. Perhaps a flight surgeon would like to weigh in here? Ray

[N201MKTurbo]

im putting this in my new panel. it displays to the jpi 830

 

http://guardianavionics.com/455_101and455_101B.html

 

Mine fits in the seat pocket. The batteries last a long time. I don't think I would use that much panel space for it.

 

[201er]

I don't use O2 below 12k. It's too much of a nuisance, dries my nose out and kinda hurts (and I have the halo headset so that's one less problem). I am in the habit though of checking my levels every 30 mins 8000ft and above. Check out my pulse ox at FL110

I once took a ride in a friend's plane to 17000ft and not on oxygen and I was totally fine. He tried quizzing me on math and regs and I did fine. Oxygen level was in the low 60s. I wouldn't want prlonged exposure or to fly a plane in that state.

As for fatigue, I use the AP and take my shoes off. Surprisingly on flights over 5 hours, taking shoes off greatly improves circulation and reduces fatigue.

[DonMuncy]

As to sources, there are a multitude of places now. I bought my first one from someone like Aerox several years ago for about $150. Last year I bought a back-up from Aldo (a cheapo food store) for about $35 and it seems to be as accurate as my "good" one.

[fantom]

Watch out for the pressure contact 1/2 AA batteries in the less expensive units. They run about $20 with shipping.

[Jamie]

This thread and yesteday's trip reminded me to look into O2. I'm not recommending the following, just noting the similarity and the price delta:

 

Aircraft Spruce: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/fingerPulseOximeter.php?clickkey=339969

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Concord-BlackOx-Fingertip-Oximeter-Carrying/dp/B004ICKB0K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1370803797&sr=8-4&keywords=pulse+oximeter

 

They sure look the same to me, good reviews on Amazon, and amazon has it for less than 50% of Aircraft Spruce. At almost $90, I'd wait until I needed it. At $40? Unless someone here has a better recommendation, I think I'll try it.

[AmigOne]

I paid $80+ at Oshkosh about 5-6 years ago when I think they first came out. I'm sure the $40 does the same job.

[rainman]

201er, you are not "fine when your saturation is 83%. The fact that it's hard to recognize is the danger. The euphoric feeling that can accompany hypoxia is not fine, it's a dangerous. However well you perform at 83%, think about how much better you must be at 90%? Please consider asking a flight surgeon about a safe saturation level. Safety is our shared goal, and why we even monitor our oxygen. Thanks for thinking about it. Ray

[201er]

What I mean by I'm fine is not the feeling. It's the ability to complete a flight and look at in retrospect and evaluate myself. I've spoken to a friend who got mildly hypoxic and the engine power was dropping, couldn't figure out what to do but after landing realized it needed carb heat. That is looking back and realizing a hypoxic state. I've shot approaches coming back down from 11k and in retrospect can't think of anything going any differently than if I had more to breath. I will admit that I'm running slower and I wouldn't want to be shooting that approach at 11,000ft. But as I descend my O2 level comes back up. Actually not even descending, just maintaining that altitude for a while it goes up. By the end of that flight it was 87% at 11k.

[davidsguerra]

 

 

I have a portable one too  but i found i had plenty of room in the panel once i took out the hsi adf vor radar altimeter and sigtronics intercom.  i added it as a space filler. its only 2 1/4.  it looks cool and the new corvalis tts has them .

[Jeff_S]

I got the oximeter from Sporty's for Christmas last year, and finally remembered to use it last week on flights to and from Amelia Island. I just hadn't been at altitude long enough on any other flights for it to matter. But on the way down, after 45 minutes at 9000' my blood oxygen showed 91% and my pulse was 85.

 

On the way home at 8000', my blood oxygen was at 96% and my pulse was in the mid 70's.  1000' altitude difference probably accounted for some of this, but I also think that since we had done so much beach walking and other activities while there, my body was just naturally in a bit better shape physically and I was processing oxygen better.

 

I gotta' spend more time on the treadmill at home...but that's so boring!

[DrBill]

I use the Oximeter that was on sale at Aldi for c $25.  Works great. At 11K, my 02 was 83-84,  put on oxygen and 15 mins later was 93-94.

I use O2 over 9K all the time.

BILL