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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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* 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 the AltoLab Oximeter, but for $50 rather than $200.
* Bulk CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber. I ordered two 3 pound bags for $10 each + $10 shipping. http://www.shopmedvet.com/product/3057
Total cost was $306 (excluding the unused scrubbers).
==Initial Observations==
* It was harder 's important to breathe through than I expectedlet everything dry between uses, as especially the resistance bacterial filter. If it gets damp, it is quite highhard to breathe through. * Air you breathe through the AltoLab is also quite warm, partly due to rebreathing exhaled air, partly due to the heat from the CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber. (I may try embedding the pipe in ice water to see if that helps.)
* The manual suggests starting with 2 mixers, which should give a blood O<SUB>2</SUB> saturation of 90%. Mine dropped to below 80%, which may be part of the reason I do so badly at altitude. By the fifth session I found my breathing pattern changed, and my saturation did not drop as far.
* My initial few sessions I ignored the manual and let my blood O<SUB>2</SUB> saturation drop to around 80%, which is enough to make me feel light headed and my vision to change. * Moisture builds up in the system quickly. This is partly the water vapor from the lungsAfter 6-8 sessions, and probably some dribbling into the mouth tube, which is hard saturation dropping to avoid. I have to empty out 80% did not cause the tube part way through a session, and disassemble everything to dry out between sessionssame problems.
==Results==
I have not been using the system long enough to see results. I will post my perceived results later.
* The absorbent material (soda lime) has a color change that indicates when it is exhausted. After the scrubber had become ineffective, the color change had not occurred. This suggests that there is more life left in the absorbent material, but there is not enough material for it to work effectively. Using two scrubbers together may get more life out of the material.
==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] 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.
==See Also==
* [[Altitude Training]]
