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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 AltoLab consists of a [[Breathing]] tube and lid, a cylinder of CO<SUB>2</SUB> absorbent (Hypoxic Silo) and a series of tubes filled with foam cylinders that hold your exhaled breath for you to re-breathe (mixers). Each mixer is supposed to be around 5,000 feet of altitude, though this obviously varies a lot.
* 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. I'm told that the original CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber in the AltoLab system is Spherasorb 405.
** There are some newer CO2 scrubbers available, such as Amsorb plus that have a permanent color change. I have not tried these, but they are available on line at [https://www.surgicaltools.com/36098/amsorb-plus-co2-absorbent-pre-pack-for-ge-aespire-avance-and-aisys-anesthesia-machines/amsorb-plus-co2-absorbent surgical tools], and [https://secure.hullanesthesia.com/p/967/Amsorb-Plus-CO2-Absorbent---CAN-CAN---800-Gram-Cartridge Hull Anesthesia]. There is an interesting write up at http://www.armstrongmedical.net/absorbent/amsorb-plus/amsorb-plus * After some time, I ordered extra anti-bacterial filters, which cost less than $5 from a medical supplier. I got mine from [[http://www.allegromedical.com/respiratory-therapy-c534/main-flow-bacterial-viral-filter-p547468.html Allegro Medical]]
Total cost was $306 (excluding the unused scrubbers). An alternative would be to buy
* The [[Breathing]] kit for $89
