High altitude

svh · Post by **svh** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:33 pm

Do I need to do anything special if I am traveling to Breckenridge, CO (altitude almost 10,000 feet)? I will be taking my machine, of course, carry-on, and have read many of the airplane related threads, but wondered if the machines are set to cope with altitude changes. I would think yes, but it seemed wise to consult you pros! Thanks in advance!

momadams · Post by **momadams** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:54 pm

Sarah-
Your M Series Pro has automatic altitude adjustment - your manual will tell you the upper altitude limits.

I live at 6400 feet and notice that when I visit sea level the airflow feels gentler. You may find a noticeable difference using the machine at altitude - it's normal.

Have a good trip!

Shari

svh · Post by **svh** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:53 pm

Well, I've checked the manual, and it says it has three altitude adjustments (this was online, as I seem not to have any manual here at home...) It says the machine can cope up to 7500 feet, "Elevations over 7500 feet may affect the accuracy of the pressure. Your home care provider can verify the pressure setting with a water column manometer." This doesn't seem feasible on a week-long vacation.

Anyone have any experience at high elevation (above 7500 feet) to know what actually happens?

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:02 pm

It is likely that your CPAP should be able to adjust to 10,000 feet, the 7,5000 feet specification is probably very conservative.

See

http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/reprint/108/6/1577

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:09 pm

svh wrote:Do I need to do anything special if I am traveling to Breckenridge, CO (altitude almost 10,000 feet)?

Most flow generators have altitude adjustment, whether auto or manual, that goes up to what is basically aircraft cabin pressurisation level (equivalent to ~8000 feet). After that you are on your own in terms of directly adjusting flow rate to compensate for any further atmospheric pressure decreases at greater altitudes.

Practical advice

If you are on a high flow rate to start with you may not have any effective adjustment left on your flow generator, but if you are on a lower rate you should first do the altitude setting adjustment (if manual) and then add a further 2cm H20 to your normal flow rate, This should get you in the ball park for 10,000 feet altitude.

Technical background

Most flow generators that specify a maximum flow rate of 20cm H20 (which is fairly typical) in fact can deliver a maximum of ~26cm H20 at sea level... this is to provide the extra blower capacity for providing the same actual flow as 20cm H20 sea level (as indicated on the display settings) when working at their maximum rated altitude.

Cheers,

Bill

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:27 pm

Thank you os much! I really appreciate the info! Just what I needed!

svh · Post by **svh** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:28 pm

Sorry, that was me--I realized I wasn't signed in when I tried to edit my post to fix "so".... Thanks again!

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:58 pm

svh wrote:Do I need to do anything special if I am traveling to Breckenridge, CO (altitude almost 10,000 feet)?

Will you be sleeping at this altitude? Or just visiting while trying to breath?

If there are signs of life - I think you'll be alright.

ColoZZZ · Post by **ColoZZZ** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:40 pm

I have no problem with my M-series auto at high altitude when I visit friends in Breck. Usually I get good sleep and my numbers are very low. Ad dehydration compounds altitude effects, remember to start drinking more water water a couple of days before you head up there and to drink LOTS of water while you're there. You may want to turn the humidifier up a notch or two as well.

Have a good time!

-Andy

svh · Post by **svh** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:35 pm

Thanks for the advice!

Lubman · Post by **Lubman** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:41 pm

SVH,

You will notice the difference in altitude, -- Do you normally sleep with supplemental oxygen at sea level? If so, ask you DME if you should consider adding a small tank of supplemental oxygen at night? That may be something that you could carry or obtain in Denver with an RX.

I suspect that you will do fine - we have considerably less oxygen in the air.
My house is at 6100 feet and Breckenridge is not a problem for me, if you go up over 10,000 the effects of altitude seem to be more noticable.

Heed the advise on dehydration. Bring AYR for your nasal passages and drink plenty of water. It is much dryer than Boston.

Enjoy the skiing and have fun in our mountain resorts.

Lubman

ColoZZZ · Post by **ColoZZZ** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:47 pm

A little more on the altitude - if you fly into Denver in the afternoon or evening, it may be better to spend the first night in Denver before heading up to the high country. This will allow you to acclimate slightly more at an intermediate elevation according to the climber's adage "climb high, sleep low"

That said, you don't want to get stuck in the Saturday or Sunday am traffic jam that starts at about 6:30 am and lasts til noon...

Remember that alcohol will really hit you hard at altitude and compound the effects of altitude sickness.

-Andy

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Altitude

svh · Post by **svh** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:42 am

Thank you guys so much! I really appreciate the advice. I'm not the one planning this trip, it's a lovely, generous gift from the in-laws, but I know we are flying into Denver mid-afternoon and being driven straight to the mountain. The condo is slopeside, supposedly "in the middle of the mountain", so we'll see. I got the almost 10,000 feet figure from google, so perhaps it isn't really that high except at the top of the mountain....

I do not use supplemental oxygen, so that shouldn't be an issue, hopefully. I will definitely bring Ayr gel, and drink plenty of water--I can manage that!

Thanks, also, for the tip on alcohol....Good to know!

momadams · Post by **momadams** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:51 am

These folks have a useful website and would be likely to answer any of your questions:
http://www.summito2.com/8.html
They're RTs who serve the high altitude area.

"Breckenridge's highest elevation is 12,998 feet, and is 9600 feet above sea level in the town."

# Prevention of altitude illnesses falls into two categories, proper acclimatization and preventive medications. Below are a few basic guidelines for proper acclimatization: If possible, don't fly or drive directly to high altitude.
# If you do fly or drive, do not over-exert yourself or move higher for the first 24 hours.
# Keep in mind that different people will acclimatize at different rates.
# Stay properly hydrated. Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid loss, so you need to drink lots of fluids to remain properly hydrated (at least 3-4 quarts per day). Urine output should be copious and clear.
# Take it easy; don't over-exert yourself when you first get up to altitude. Light activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating the symptoms.
# Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs including, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills. These depressants further decrease the respiratory drive during sleep resulting in a worsening of the symptoms.
# Eat a high carbohydrate diet (more than 70% of your calories from carbohydrates) while at altitude.
# The acclimatization process is inhibited by dehydration, over-exertion, and alcohol and other depressant drugs.

svh · Post by **svh** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:57 am

Thanks--you guys are great!

High altitude

High altitude

Re: High altitude

Re: High altitude

Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pressure 16 cm H2O at altitude 6550ft

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Airmini, Medistrom Pilot 24, CMS 60C Pulse Oximeter, ResScan 6