What's minimum safe O2 level?

"Viperdoc" wrote in message
...
In general for a patient in a hospital we try to keep the O2 sat at or
above
92%, and will give supplemental oxygen if it falls below.

On a recent trip at 10,000 feet I felt bad after around three hours, and
checked my sat, which was in the low 80's. My eight year old son
complained
of a headache and nausea, and after putting on the oxygen we both felt a
lot
better as our sats returned to the 90's.

A couple years ago, my family went to Quito. The elevation there is around
2 miles high. I am not a great physical specimen, and did not have any
problems with feeling bad. You did have to remember not to make too long of
a sentence without breathing, and to walk instead of running, like up
stairs.

One thing was interesting, was that as we were about to land, the airliner
cabin's altitude went up, instead of down!

Ever seen Quito's airport? It is literally in the middle of the city, with
apartment buildings and such right up to the fence, and the fence is close
to the runway. One runway, because it is in a narrow valley. Arrivals and
departures are not straight in, and have to curve about in the valley as
they descend or climb. Not for the faint of heart. We heard you had to be
a captain for the airline on different routes for 5 years, then fly as 1st
officer on the Quito run for 2 years before you are allowed to command a
flight in there. With good reason.
--
Jim in NC


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