High-altitude chambers in which human subjects are comfortable and relaxed yield the most accurate data. Equip chambers with a heater and air conditioner to regulate temperature and humidity. Establish minimum dimensions of 10 feet long by 5 feet wide and 7 feet high so the patient does not experience claustrophobia. Prevent significant changes to the oxygen concentration in the chamber when the door is open by equipping the entrance and exit point with a lock. Install tools to measure inspired gas tensions and a radiometer blood gas analyzer.
Patients suffering from acute and chronic hypoxia, or a low blood oxygen level at high altitude, often receive effective treatment in a high-altitude chamber. Doctors provide phone access, radio, television and favorite reading materials to the person during administration of different oxygen mixtures to simulate increasing altitudes. Regular pulse and breathing monitoring during treatment provide doctors with essential information to determine onset altitude and provide medical assistance when needed.
High-altitude chambers train pilots and familiarize aviators with the symptoms of hypoxia. Regular exposure builds endurance so pilots can withstand extended periods of low oxygen in the event of a pressure blowout. Hypoxia occurs at altitudes as low as 10,000 feet above sea level, but most commercial flights cruise between 30,000 and 40,000 feet, while military pilots fly as high as 85,000 feet. High-altitude chamber training is critical to keeping safe pilots in the air.
Olympic competitors from high-altitude regions prove that training in areas with reduced oxygen enjoy a competitive advantage. Although relocating to another part of the country for a month before a major event is often impractical, research indicates that sleeping in a high-altitude chamber at least 12 hours a day over a course of four weeks yields the same beneficial effect as living in a mountainous region. This chamber can prove especially useful to athletes whose sports require endurance and maximum oxygen intake, including basketball players, runners and cyclists.