8,108
edits
Changes
→Recommendations
==Mechanical Hypoxic GeneratorsRebreathers==Mechanical Chemical generatorsuse a chemical reaction to either remove oxygen from the air, or to remove the carbon dioxide from the air that you exhale, which is then breathed again. These systems are cheaper to purchase, but require the ongoing purchase 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<ref name="hypo"/SUB> either use Pressure Swing Absorptionscrubber 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<ref name="psa"/SUB> or scrubbers) proving 24 hours of usage, a semi[[Pulse Oximeter]] and the masks. * The performance kit is $580 and contains 6 AltoMixers giving 5,000-permeable membrane30,000 ft of elevation, 6 silos (CO<SUB>2<ref name="semi"/SUB>scrubbers) proving 12 hours of usage, a [[Pulse Oximeter]] and the masks. These generators tend to be expensive to purchase* 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, but require no ongoing maintenanceand 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===
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
* Conversion for use in exercise - $700
* 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
===Higher Peak===
An established producer of competitively priced products. http://www.higherpeak.com/
* 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.
===Altitude Tech===
This Canadian company produces competitively priced products. http://www.altitudetech.ca/
These products look physically identical to the Higher Peak products.
===Colorado Altitude Training===
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 CAT 9 and CAT 12 air units provide air at the airequivalent of 9,or to remove the carbon dioxide from the air that you exhale000 and 12, which is then breathed again000 feet respectively. These The CAT systems are cheaper to purchasehave a 3 year warranty. * CAT-430 Walk-in Tent System with CAT-12 Air Unit $4,595 + $219 shipping* CAT-315 Walk-in Tent System with CAT-12 Air Unit $4,245 + $189 shipping* CAT 12 with Sleeping Mask Kit $3, but require the ongoing purchase of the chemical cartridges. These systems are only used for intermittent training620 + $99 shipping* CAT 12 with Exercise Mask Kit $3, not for sleeping. 495 + $99 shipping ==Semi-Permeable Membrane=====AltiPowerGO2Altitude===AltiPower uses GO2Altitude focuses on systems for [[Intermittent Hypoxic Training]] rather than sleep systems and appear to use a semi-permeable membrane technique. The cheapest system that removes the CO2 from the exhaled air that is then rebreathedtheir One Person / Portable. It Their focus seems to have changed to aviation usage and their web site is not clear how long the cartridges last, or what altitude is achieved. now http://www.altipowerhypoxic-training.com /* AltiPower Pro KitOne Person / Portable 2010, $5, 990 ($16,500 delivered). Provides 21,000. Comes ft and comes with 2 cartridges and [[Pulse Oximeter * Replacement cartridges $100 each]], $300 for fourPC software and hoses/masks
==See Also==
* [[The Science of Altitude Training]]
* [[Altitude Training Approaches]]
* [[Book Review – - Altitude Training and Athletic Performance]]* [[Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]] and [[The Science of Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]]* [[AltoLab]]* [[Pulse Oximeter]]
==References==
<references>
<ref name="psa">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_swing_adsorption</ref>
<ref name="semi">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-permeable_membrane</ref>
<ref name="hypoequip">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HypoxicatorAdapted from Equipment and Regimes for Intermittent Hypoxia Therapy, Bassovitch and Serebrovskaya</ref>
</references>