Well, at one of those gadgets should indicate if one is doing ok at
10,000' (on the brink of needing supplemental O2).
The clip on oxygen meters (aka: pulse oximetry) is not a practical
way to watch for carbon monoxide (CO...not CO2) exposure.
Here is a cut and paste from a study done:
Clinical bottom line (level 4)
Among patients with suspected smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide
poisoning, pulse oximetry was inaccurate. The higher the
carboxyhaemoglobin level, the greater the inaccuracy.
Consequently, a direct blood gas measurement of the HbCO level will
be necessary in all cases.
Dan C
On Mar 10, 2010, at 10:45 AM, James B. Brennan wrote:
There's a "backdoor" CO2 tester for $40-$50, that being a clip on
your finger blood oxygen meter... the only drawback is that to check
your situation, you have to fish it out of your flight bag, clip it
on a finger and see how your blood oxygen is doing (as CO2 would
diminish it). I have one for other reasons, but it will be in my
flight bag next time out. I got mine from http://
www.semedicalsupply.com/pulse_oximeters.htm
whatever...
jbb
