Changes

There are various Altitude (hypoxia (altitude) systems on the market that vary widely in priceand function. Some manufacturers do not state prices openly, so the prices below reflect the quotes I was given and may be out of date. If you have a price quote, [mailto:feedback@fellrnr. Here are some notes com please let me know] and I've made while looking at the market placewill update this page. ==Mechanical Hypoxic GeneratorsTypes of Altitude Systems==Mechanical generatorsDifferent altitude systems work in different ways<ref name="hypoequip"/> either and are suitable for different [[Altitude Training Approaches]], so be sure which approach you want to use Pressure Swing Absorptionbefore you buy. {| class="wikitable" | align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Type'''| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Mechanism'''| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Suitable for'''| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Manufacturers'''| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pros'''| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Cons'''|-| Semi-permeable membrane (SPM) <ref name="psasemi"/> or . ||Separate N2 and O<SUB>2</SUB> using a semi'sieve' ||[[Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]] and [[Intermittent Hypoxic Training]]||GO<SUB>2</SUB>Altitude||Minimal running costs, Stable 02 levels||Expensive to buy, Lower flow rates than PSAS|-permeable membrane| Pressure swing absorption<ref name="semipsa"/>||Different gases are absorbed at different rates under different pressures ||Live High, Train Low, Altitude tents or altitude rooms. <br>(Note Hypoxico systems also support [[Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]] and [[Intermittent Hypoxic Training]]. These )||CAT, Hypoxico, and Higher Peak (same generator, different prices)||Minimal running costs, High flow rates at moderate O<SUB>2</SUB> concentrations||Expensive to buy, Poor performance at low O<SUB>2</SUB> concentrations|-| Rebreather||Use of scrubber to absorb exhaled CO<SUB>2</SUB>, which then contains less O<SUB>2</SUB> and is rebreathed||[[Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]] at rest ||AltO₂lab, AlitPower||Cheap to buy, Cheap to run (refilling cartridges)||Harder to control O<SUB>2</SUB> concentrations|}==Recommendations==I believe that the [[DIY Altitude Training]] (or similar [[AltoLab]] system) is the most cost effective solution. For those wanting a sleep based system, Higher Peak offers the best value. ==Rebreathers==Chemical generators tend use a chemical reaction to either remove oxygen from the air, or to be expensive remove the carbon dioxide from the air that you exhale, which is then breathed again. These systems are cheaper to purchase, but require no the ongoing maintenancepurchase of the chemical cartridges. These systems are only used for intermittent Exposure, not for sleeping. ===AltoLab===[[AltoLab]] uses a stack of AltoMixers, with each AltoMixer diluting the oxygen to provide the equivalent of 5,000 ft. The [[AltoLab]] system also requires a CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber which has to be replaced and lasts 2-3 hours. The running costs would be $10-15 per hour, but you can buy the CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber in bulk, reducing the cost down to $1 per hour; see [[AltoLab]] for details. * The elite kit is $850 and contains 8 AltoMixers giving 5,000-40,000 ft of elevation, 12 silos (CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubbers) proving 24 hours of usage, a [[Pulse Oximeter]] and the masks. * The performance kit is $580 and contains 6 AltoMixers giving 5,000-30,000 ft of elevation, 6 silos (CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubbers) proving 12 hours of usage, a [[Pulse Oximeter]] and the masks. * The starter kit is $190 and contains 3 AltoMixers giving 5,000-15,000 ft of elevation, 2 silos (CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubbers) proving 4 hours of usage, and the masks. * Replacement silos (CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubbers) are $22 ===AltiPower===AltiPower uses a system that removes the CO<SUB>2</SUB> from the exhaled air that is then rebreathed. It is not clear how long the cartridges last, or what altitude is achieved. The system appears equivalent to [[AltoLab]], but significantly more expensive. http://www.altipower.com * AltiPower Pro Kit, $1,000. Comes with 2 cartridges and [[Pulse Oximeter]]* Replacement cartridges $100 each, $300 for four===METOM===A Russian company makes a similar rebreather system for 1000-1500 roubles (about USD 32 to 49). http://metom.narod.ru/hip.htm ==Pressure Swing Absorption==Note: Apparently CAT, Hypoxico, and Higher Peak use generators from the same supplier, but at significantly different prices. The units appear physically identical.

Hypoxico systems is an established manufacturer, offering purchase, rental and rent-to-own for their equipment. Hypoxico supports sleep tents, [[Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]] and [[Intermittent Hypoxic Training]]. (The prices shown below were what I was quoted in 2009. There are no published prices on http://wwwfrom March 2013.hypoxico) I've found Hypoxico to the be the most helpful of the manufacturers listed here, and they also offer training programs and consultations.com/ but some prices are shown at http://www.bikemania.biz/Altitude_Trainers_s/185.htm* Everest SummitII Generator, $52,550950. ** Provides 12,500 ft, or 21,000 ft with a $200 adapter. ** 3-year, 8000 hour warranty ** Rental of generator and queen sized tent $175/week (Looks physically identical to Higher Peak MAG-101 month minimum, US & Canada only)* HYP123, $54,500950. ** Provides 12,500 ft, or 21,000 ft with a $200 adapter. Upgrade to HYP100.* HYP100* Industrial grade generator (metal body, $upgraded components)** 4,700. Provides 9-year 10,000 ft, or 14,500 ft with a $200 adapter. (21,000 ft for IHT with add on.) hour warranty

* Tents - $350+-950===Go2Altitude===Go2Altitude focuses on systems * Hypoxico also makes a K2 line of generators for intermittent hypoxic training rather than sleep systems and appear to room or house conversions. These generators use a semi-permeable membrane technique. The cheapest system is their One Person / Portabledifferent technology for extracting the oxygen and can provide simulated altitudes above 25,000ft.* One Person / Portable 2010, $5,990 (6,500 delivered). Provides 21,000 ft and comes with pulse oximeter, PC software and hoses/masks

* MAG-10, $2,550300. Provides 20,000 ft. Base price for generator only* MAG-10 with tent, $32,050550 (Tent only covers head and shoulders)* MAG-10 with mask, $2,800400* The MAG-10 with mask, Oximeter (to measure blood oxygen saturation), $2,900and Summit II generators look identical.

Colorado [[Altitude Training ]] provide a wide variety of systems, but do not publish prices. ==Chemical Hypoxic Generators==Chemical generators use a chemical reaction to either remove oxygen from the The CAT 9 and CAT 12 air units provide air,or to remove at the carbon dioxide from the air that you exhaleequivalent of 9, which is then breathed again. These systems are cheaper to purchase000 and 12, but require the ongoing purchase of the chemical cartridges000 feet respectively. These The CAT systems are only used for intermittent training, not for sleepinghave a 3 year warranty. ===AlitPower===* CAT-430 Walk-in Tent System with CAT-12 Air Unit $4,595 + $219 shippingAltiPower uses a system that removes the CO2 from the exhaled air that is then rebreathed. It is not clear how long the cartridges last* CAT-315 Walk-in Tent System with CAT-12 Air Unit $4, or what altitude is achieved. http://www.altipower.com 245 + $189 shipping* AltiPower Pro CAT 12 with Sleeping Mask Kit$3, 620 + $1,000. Comes with 2 cartridges and Oximeter 99 shipping* Replacement cartridges CAT 12 with Exercise Mask Kit $100 each3, 495 + $300 for four99 shipping ==Semi-Permeable Membrane=====AltoLabGO2Altitude===AltoLab uses GO2Altitude focuses on systems for [[Intermittent Hypoxic Training]] rather than sleep systems and appear to use a stack of AltoMixers, with each AltoMixer diluting the oxygen to provide the equivalent of 5,000 ftsemi-permeable membrane technique. The AltoLab cheapest system also requires a CO2 scrubber which has is their One Person / Portable. Their focus seems to have changed to be replaced aviation usage and lasts 2-3 hours. The running costs would be $10-15 per hour. their web site is now http://www.altolabhypoxic-usatraining.com/* The elite kit is One Person / Portable 2010, $850 and contains 8 AltoMixers giving 5,000-40,000 ft of elevation, 12 silos 990 (CO2 scrubbers) proving 24 hours of usage, a pulse oximeter and the masks. * The performance kit is $580 and contains 6 AltoMixers giving 5,000-30,000 ft of elevation, 6 silos (CO2 scrubbers500 delivered) proving 12 hours of usage, a pulse oximeter and the masks. * The starter kit is $190 and contains 3 AltoMixers giving 5,000-15Provides 21,000 ft of elevation, 2 silos (CO2 scrubbers) proving 4 hours of usage, and the masks. * Replacement silos (CO2 scrubbers) are $22 (less in bulk)==Oximeters==A pulse oximeters measures the level of oxygen saturation of the blood by shining a light through the skin, usually at the finger. Standalone pulse oximeters are available from Amazon for less than $100. Two popular oximeters are an unbranded model for $55 comes with [[http://www.amazon.com/Finger-Pulse-Oximeter-SM-110-Carry/dp/B000GEBU9K Finger Pulse Oximeter SM-110] ], PC software and the $100 [http:hoses//www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CAPUWY Nonin GO2].masks 

* [[The Science of Altitude Training]]

* [[Book Review – - Altitude Training and Athletic Performance]]* [[Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]] and [[The Science of Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]]* [[AltoLab]]* [[Pulse Oximeter]]

<ref name="hypoequip">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HypoxicatorAdapted from Equipment and Regimes for Intermittent Hypoxia Therapy, Bassovitch and Serebrovskaya</ref>