Oxygen supplementation for work in hypoxic environments — a pilot study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55225/hppa.709Keywords:
isobaric hypoxia, oxygen saturation, supplemental oxygen, workloadAbstract
Objective: To investigate at what level of isobaric hypoxia a clinically significant decrease of PO₂ (in the blood, noted as SpO₂) occurs when non-acclimatized humans enter a hypoxic environment, and what amount of supplemental oxygen, if any, is necessary to keep SpO₂ within an acceptable range when operating in a low-oxygen environment.
Material and methods: 6 volunteers were exposed to 20.9% (sea level), 19.0% (800 m / 2,620 ft), 15.5% (2,400m / 7,870 ft), 13.5% (3,400 m / 11,150 ft), and 11% (5,200 m / 17,060 ft) atmospheric oxygen saturation at rest and with 80W workload, without and with supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula and a demand system. Pulse rate and SpO₂ were measured.
Results: At 15.5% oxygen or higher, participants stabilized SpO₂ above 90%. At 13.5% oxygen, participants had oxygen saturation values between 80 and 89% at rest without supplemental oxygen. At 11.0% oxygen, many participants had SpO₂ values ≤80%, but 3 of 6 showed SpO₂ values between 80 and 89%. An additional workload of 80W caused only small changes in SpO₂. An immediate and significant increase in SpO₂ was observed after supplemental oxygen administration, both at rest and during exercise. Data from isobaric hypoxia correlate well with those in hypobaric conditions.
Conclusion: Working in a reduced-oxygen environment at 15% oxygen is well tolerated, with no adverse physiological or clinical effects. At ambient oxygen levels of 13.5% or lower, supplemental oxygen may be required in some individuals to maintain an acceptable blood oxygen saturation.gen saturation.
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