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AltoLab
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AltoLab is a cheap and effective way of [[Altitude Training]]. It uses a chemical (soda lime) to remove the CO<SUB>2</SUB> from your exhaled breath, allowing you to rebreathe the air that now has lower O<SUB>2</SUB>. I have replaced my AltoLab with a [[DIY Altitude Training]] system that is cheaper and works better than the AltoLab system.
{{DISPLAYTITLE:AltoLab, A cheap Altitude Training system}}
==Introduction==
==The parts ordered==
I ordered the following components
* Three extra mixers for $36
* Six extra CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubbers for $108 (I did not need these)
* A [http://www.amazon.com/Finger-[Pulse-Oximeter-SM-110-Carry-Wrist/dp/B003TJH3LI Finger Pulse Oximeter SM-110]] which appears identical to are much cheaper than if you purchase them with the AltoLab Oximeter, but for $50 rather than $200.
* Bulk CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber. Each 3 pound bag is $7.80 + $10 shipping.
** I ordered 'JorVet J-553 Soda Lime', produced by Jorgensen Laboratories. I got mine from shopmedvet.com, and they tend to change their URLs so you may have to search for 'soda lime' on their site. As of 6/22/11 the link http://www.shopmedvet.com/product/soda-lime-3-lb-bag/jorgensen-products-anesthesia-products worked. Total cost was $306 (excluding the unused scrubbers). ==Initial Observations==* ItI's important to let everything dry between uses, especially the bacterial filter. If it gets damp, it is hard to breathe through. * Air you breathe through the AltoLab is quite warm, partly due to rebreathing exhaled air, partly due to the heat from m told that the original CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubberin the AltoLab system is Spherasorb 405. * The manual suggests starting with 2 mixers* There are some newer CO2 scrubbers available, which should give such as Amsorb plus that have a blood O<SUB>2</SUB> saturation of 90%permanent color change. Mine dropped to below 80%I have not tried these, which may be part of the reason I do so badly but they are available on line at altitude[https://www. By the fifth session I found my breathing pattern changed, and my saturation did not drop as farsurgicaltools. * My initial few sessions I ignored the manual com/36098/amsorb-plus-co2-absorbent-pre-pack-for-ge-aespire-avance-and let my blood O<SUB>2<-aisys-anesthesia-machines/SUB> saturation drop to around 80%amsorb-plus-co2-absorbent surgical tools], which is enough to make me feel light headed and my vision to change[https://secure.hullanesthesia. After 6com/p/967/Amsorb-Plus-CO2-Absorbent---CAN-CAN---800-Gram-8 sessions, the saturation dropping to 80% did not cause the same problemsCartridge Hull Anesthesia]. There is an interesting write up at http://www.armstrongmedical. net/absorbent/amsorb-plus/amsorb-plus ==Results==I’ve used the AltoLab for two periods of race preparation and I’ve found it effective* After some time, but not without some significant downsides. Using the AltoLab seemed to improve my race performance at sea level slightlyI ordered extra anti-bacterial filters, though it is hard to separate out the benefits of AltoLab which cost less than $5 from the benefits of hard training. I did notice that I do somewhat better at altitude after using AltoLab for a whilemedical supplier. One simple test I performed was to check my O<sub>2<got mine from [http:/sub> saturation when flying. After using the AltoLab, I found that my O<sub>2</sub> saturation was noticeably higher than beforewww. (I used a barometric altimeter to check the cabin pressure to make sure the circumstances were similarallegromedical.) The downside to using the AltoLab is probably similar to other altitude training systems; being in a low O<sub>2<com/respiratory-therapy-c534/sub> environment is unpleasantmain-flow-bacterial-viral-filter-p547468. I find myself struggling to perform the training sessions as the feeling of asphyxiation html Allegro Medical]Total cost was off putting. In theory you can watch TV while doing $306 (excluding the AltoLab, and that’s how I used it, but the low O<sub>2</sub> saturation makes it hard to concentrate on anything interestingunused scrubbers). Reading a book will using AltoLab is tricky as you need An alternative would be to hold the tube in your mouth. buy* The initial sessions of training did seem to leave me a little weakened and slower at training than normal. I also found that the altitude training tended to give me a headache that would come back periodically. [[Breathing]] kit for $89* Three extra mixers for $36Overall, I think the AltoLab is a cost effective and useful way of training * One or two scrubbers for high altitude conditions, and possibly $22 each* The [[Pulse Oximeter]] for improvements at sea level. I suspect that $50With the downsides of using other intermittent systems will be similar to AltoLab. From what I understand from other people who’ve slept in altitude tents, there are differentscrubber, but equally significant downsides to that approach, including poor sleep qualityworks out as $214.80
==CO<SUB>2</SUB> Scrubber==
* The CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber lasted for two sessions of an hour, 6 minutes on, 3 minutes off. AltoLab claim 2-3 sessions.
* The scrubber did does not die quickly or obviously; I just found find my blood O<SUB>2</SUB> saturation not dropping as far each time, but the biggest indicator is that I'm struggling to breathe. This is because the CO<SUB>2</SUB> is building up in the blood and causing deeper [[Breathing]]. Swapping to a new scrubber returned to the original behavior. * The absorbent material (soda lime) has a color change that indicates when it is exhausted. After the scrubber had become ineffectiveHowever, the color change had not occurredis only present immediately after use. This suggests that there is more life left in If you leave the absorbent materialscrubber for a few hours, but there is not enough material for it will return to work effectively. Using two scrubbers together may get more life out of the materialits original color, even though it is still expired.
* I created a video of opening the silo for scrubber replacement at http://youtu.be/6uK1Ua8ENGU
{{#evp:youtube|6uK1Ua8ENGU|How to open the AltoLab silos|none}}
==Running Costs==
Each CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber costs $22, or $18 when you by 6 at a time. This works out as a running cost of nearly $10 per hour, which can get a little pricey. I have found that the scrubbers open up quite easily, and can be refilled with a bulk CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber. I used JorVet soda lime (see above) which is $10 for 3 pounds. Each CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber holds about half a pound, and lasts for 3-4 sessions, rather than 2-3 for the original. This reduces the running cost less than $1 per hour.
==What about just breathing through a tube?==
Occasionally people ask if you can just breathe through a tube or snorkel rather than buying a system. Sadly, this does not work. All that happens is the CO2 in the tube builds up, so you breathe faster without lowering your O<SUB>2</SUB> saturation.
==Pure DIY==
Looking at the parts for the AltoLab, it seems possible to construct one out of PVC piping, some foam, CPAP tube, etc., but this may require some effort to find the right parts. Given that the AltoLab system is only the cost of a couple of pairs of good running [[Shoes]], it does not seem worth the effort.
==Optional Oxygen Sensor==
I added an oxygen sensor to my AltoLab set up to make it easier to control my [[SpO2|SpO<sub>2</sub>]] levels. I chose the [http://oxycheq.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_5&products_id=6 OxyCheq Expedition-X Oxygen Analyzer] because it has a separate replaceable sensor and a remote display, and the price was reasonable ($250 at [http://www.higherpeak.com/accessories.html Higher Peak], the cheapest place I've found it). I've found that knowing the oxygen level I'm [[Breathing]] gives me the finer control of how hypoxic I am as the [[Pulse Oximeter]] alone has a significant delay. If you start [[Breathing]] air with more or less oxygen it will sometimes take over a minute for this to affect the circulating blood in your fingertip that the [[Pulse Oximeter]] is monitoring. This delay makes it tricky to stay in the right [[SpO2|SpO<sub>2</sub>]] range. With the O<sub>2</sub> sensor I can see how the depth of my [[Breathing]] is affecting the oxygen level, and combined with the [[Pulse Oximeter]] I'm able to get a much more effective hypoxic exposure. The diagram to the right shows my current configuration:
* I generally use six of the black foam filled mixers.
* Attached to the black mixer is the green CO<sub>2</sub> scrubber, the end cap and the original hose.
* Next the O2 sensor is attached to a blue "T" adapter. This is connected by a wire to the display unit. These sensors have an expected life of about two years, so it's handy for them to be easily replaceable.
* Finally there is the viral filter, the optional expandable swivel tube and the mouthpiece.
The cost of the Oxygen Sensor more than doubles the cost of the overall system, but this was worthwhile to me as I use the system on a regular basis. I would not recommend getting an Oxygen Sensor until you know how you get on with basic setup, but I've found it much easier to control my [[SpO2|SpO<sub>2</sub>]] than using the [[Pulse Oximeter]] alone.
==See Also==
* [[The Science of Altitude Training]]
* [[Altitude Training Approaches]]
* [[Book Review – - Altitude Training and Athletic Performance]]* [[Intermittent Hypoxic TrainingExposure]] and [[The Science of Intermittent Hypoxic Training 101Exposure]]
* [[Comparison of Altitude Training Systems]]