PLEASE DO NOT BLINDLY RELY ON A CHEAP PULSE OX!!!!! 10 years in EMS and I have seen pulse ox meters that read all over the place. There are many factors that play into the accuracy of the reading. Nail polish, placement on the finger, CO in the bloodstream and movement will all effect accuracy.Originally Posted by Floatsflyer
This past week, 2 fatal accidents have highlighted pilot incapacitation at higher altitudes. Based on the flights themselves and reports from the air force pilots who intercepted the stricken planes, it's quite possible that hypoxia may have been the cause.
Although I rarely fly above 8,000 ft., there are times such as over large bodies of water where we get up to 11,000 ft. Based on the fact that I'm not getting any younger and my belief in an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, I'm investing in a very inexpensive Pulse Oximeter. It's a non-invasive, easy to use diagnostic clip-on-your-finger tool that provides instant monitoring and measurements of blood oxygen levels to prevent hypoxia.
They can be bought at any drug store. Likely, the cheapest aviation thingy that you will ever purchase and could save a life--yours.
Use it as a tool/indicator but do not use it as you sole means of monitoring for hipoxia.
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