| Q: How safe is altitude training? A: Altitude training is all about adapting to high altitude, which is a natural physical ability of humans. Many people travel to and from high altitude for recreation every year without ill effect. Millions more live year-round at high altitude. Few of us would be concerned about taking a vacation in the Alps, or going skiing in the Rockies. Even commercial jets for the general public are pressurized only to the equivalent of 8000 feet. This is not to say there are no risks, especially if you are not in good physical condition or try to acclimate too quickly. People going to high altitude sometimes experience mild “mountain sickness” symptoms such as headache, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and dehydration. These symptoms should subside as the body adjusts to altitude. Q: Who should NOT use altitude training? A: You should not attempt altitude training if you have cardiac or pulmonary conditions, hemoglobin abnormalities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, epilepsy, severe obesity, kidney disease, if you are pregnant, or if you are immune-suppressed, unless specifically cleared by your doctor. Q: Could there be medical complications? A: Altitude training typically takes place at high altitude (8,000 to 12,000 feet), not at the altitudes associated with extreme mountaineering where the risk of medical complications are higher. Some of the possible complications of high altitude (though NOT necessarily associated with simulated altitude training) include acute mountain sickness, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrhythmia, cerebral hypoxia, hypercoagulability, and possibly a degree of immune suppression. Severe symptoms (persistent severe headache, nausea, difficulty breathing) require an immediate return to normal altitude. We encourage everyone going to altitude or using simulated altitude training to learn about Acute Mountain Sickness and know how to recognize and react to the symptoms of AMS. Q: What are the safety features of the Mountain Air Generator? A: The Mountain Air Generator uses a proven, safe method of producing low-oxygen air:
Finally, a little common sense -- never, never put yourself in a situation where you could suffocate if the airflow from the MAG is stopped due to power failure or mechanical failure. Our masks have a safety vent, so you will be safe even if there is a power failure. |


| Safety of Altitude Training |