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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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[[File:Finished Hypoxicator.JPG|right|thumb|500px|The finished DIY hypoxicator.]]
The heart of my [[DIY Altitude Training]] system is the 'hypoxicator'. The principle of this altitude system is that you rebreathe your exhaled air, and each time you do so the oxygen level drops. This creates air that has less oxygen, which simulates high altitude. However, you can't simply breathe into a bag because as the oxygen level drops, the carbon dioxide levels rise. This rise in CO2 will cause you to breathe deeper and faster, leading to dramatic panting without any drop in your blood oxygen level ([[SpO2|SpO<sub>2</sub>]]). To overcome this problem, your breath must go through a CO2 scrubber, which is the function of the hypoxicator. This hypoxicator is essentially a box filled with a chemical CO2 scrubber, plus attachments for the [[Breathing|breathing ]] hoses and filters to keep the scrubber in the box. I made mine for less than $20 plus the cost of the CO2 scrubber.
=Tools and materials needed=
You will need the following:
* '''Box'''. An air tight box, which should be about a pint/half liter in size. The box should be clear, as the CO2 scrubber changes color when it needs replacing. Ideally the lid of the box should fit into the box rather than creating a dome above so that there is no air gap above the CO2 scrubber. This [http://www.amazon.com/Felli%C2%AE-Flip-Tite-Square-Canister/dp/B00936VDVC Flip-Tite container] is ideal and is the one I use.
* '''Hose connector'''. I used some viral filters cut in half, but you might be able to use a plumbing connector. (You will need viral filters for the overall [[Altitude Training|altitude training ]] system.) I got my filters from [http://www.allegromedical.com/respiratory-therapy-c534/main-flow-bacterial-viral-filter-p547468.html?utm_expid=44248-8 Allegro Medical] for around $3 each.
* '''Air Filter'''. I used parts of an air conditioning filter to stop the scrubber going into the holes for the hoses. I think you could use other materials, such as open cell foam.
* '''Drills'''. You will need to cut a hole into the box that's about an inch/2cm or so wide. The box I used is polycarbonate, which is tough, but you need to cut it carefully.
