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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
* The starter kit ($190) and which contains 3 mixers giving 5,000-15,000 ft of elevation, 2 CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubbers proving 4 hours of usage, and the tubes.
* 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. ==Initial Observations==* It was harder to breathe through than I expected, as the resistance is quite high. Air is also quite warm, partly due to rebreathing exhaled air, partly due to the heat from the Bulk CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber. (I may try embedding the pipe in ice water to see if that helpsEach 3 pound bag is $7.80 + $10 shipping.) * The manual suggests starting with 2 mixers* I ordered 'JorVet J-553 Soda Lime', which should give a blood O<SUB>2</SUB> saturation of 90%produced by Jorgensen Laboratories. I got mine from shopmedvet. Mine dropped com, and they tend to below 80%, which change their URLs so you may be part have to search for 'soda lime' on their site. As of 6/22/11 the reason I do so badly at altitudelink http://www.shopmedvet. By the fifth session I found my breathing pattern changed, and my saturation did not drop as farcom/product/soda-lime-3-lb-bag/jorgensen-products-anesthesia-products worked. * My initial few sessions I ignored 'm told that the manual and let my blood Ooriginal CO<SUB>2</SUB> saturation drop to around 80%, which scrubber in the AltoLab system is enough to make me feel light headed and my vision to changeSpherasorb 405. * Moisture builds up in the system quickly* 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. This is partly the water vapor from the lungscom/36098/amsorb-plus-co2-absorbent-pre-pack-for-ge-aespire-avance-and-aisys-anesthesia-machines/amsorb-plus-co2-absorbent surgical tools], and probably [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 dribbling into the mouth tubetime, I ordered extra anti-bacterial filters, which is hard to avoidcost less than $5 from a medical supplier. I have 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 empty out buy* The [[Breathing]] kit for $89* Three extra mixers for $36* One or two scrubbers for $22 each* The [[Pulse Oximeter]] for $50With the tube part way through a sessionscrubber, and disassemble everything to dry that works out between sessionsas $214. 80==Results==I have not been using the system long enough to see results. I will post my perceived results later.
==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 effectivelyits original color, even though it is still expired. Using two scrubbers together may get more life out * I created a video of opening the materialsilo 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 [[http://www.shopmedvet.com/product/3057 SodaSorb] 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. {| class="wikitable" |- valign="top"|[[File:Altolab with OxyCheq.jpg|none|thumb|x300px|My AltoLab system with the OxyCheq O<sub>2</sub> sensor attached.]]|[[File:OxyCheq.jpg|none|thumb|x300px|The OxyCheq Expedition-X Oxygen Analyzer.]]|}
==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]]* [[Hypoxia Comparison of Altitude Training Systems]]