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A Pulse Oximeter is a device for checking how much oxygen is in your blood (Blood Oxygen Saturation or [[SpO2|SpO<sub>2</sub>]]). They work by shining two different colored lights through your finger and seeing how much of each color is absorbed. A healthy person at sea level should have a [[SpO2|SpO<sub>2</sub>]] of 96-99%. A pulse oximeter is primarily used in [[Altitude Training]] or when traveling to altitude, but it is also handy for measuring [[Resting Heart Rate]]. I recommend two Pulse Oximeters – the cheap ($30) Octive Tech CEN and the more expensive CMS-60C.
=Getting an Accurate Reading=
Because a Pulse Oximeter is indirectly measuring [[SpO2|SpO<sub>2</sub>]] via the light traveling through your skin, there are a number of factors that can impact the accuracy of the reading.
* Fingernail polish. Any polish or covering over the fingernail can create problems for the Pulse Oximeter. If you can use a finger that is clear, that is ideal, but you can twist the Pulse Oximeter sideways to get a reading across the finger rather than down through the nail.
* Skin color. Dark skin pigmentation can result in an over-estimated [[SpO2|SpO<sub>2</sub>]] reading when it the levels are below 80%. Try to find an area of lighter skin color if possible.
* Movement. Any movement tends to disrupt the measurement, so stay as still as possible.
* Bright lights. A good Pulse Oximeter will tend to shield out any external light, but try to keep light levels reasonably low and avoid shining a light onto the Pulse Oximeter.
* Carbon monoxide poisoning. The pulse Oximeter will show the overall saturation of the blood, without telling the difference between oxygen and carbon monoxide.
* Blood insufficiency. Low blood volume, anemia or poor circulation can all cause problems with the reading.
=Positioning the Oximeter=
These pulse oximeters can be positioned on the finger or the toe. While the toe is the most accurate location<ref name="AggarwalDas2010"/> there is a delay in the reading<ref name="Hamber-1999"/> that makes it unsuitable for [[Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]].
=Recommended Pulse Oximeters=
==Octive Tech CEN==
<a href="http://www.clinicalguard.com/r27/89/1/product_info.php" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.clinicalguard.com/r27/p/89/banner.html" border="0" alt="CMS-50E OLED Fingertip Pulse Oximeter" title="CMS-50E OLED Fingertip Pulse Oximeter" width="250"></a>
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=References=