Pulse Oximeter App Available

All manner of safety-of-flight information is available on iPads and iPhones. Weather, traffic, terrain and engine health information can all be displayed on the ubiquitous Apple products. And now, you can add your blood oxygenation level, pulse rate and perfusion index to the list of available information.

The Masimo app works with the company’s iSpO2-3587 clip-on pulse oximeter to track the percentage of blood oxygenation (SpO2), measure pulse rate and monitor the perfusion index — the amount of blood flowing in the area being measured (if there is insufficient blood flow, the SpO2 readings are inaccurate).

Hypoxia is well known as one of the more insidious hazards of flight. We all learned in primary flight training that the higher we fly, the less oxygen is available in the atmosphere. We also learned that one of the effects of hypoxia is a feeling of well being. Measuring blood oxygenation level is critical to flagging hypoxia before it’s too late. In non-pressurized aircraft, the pilot will know to either use supplemental oxygen or descend to a safer altitude. In a pressurized airplane, the pilot will be alerted to possible failures of the pressurization system.

The Masimo app and iSpO2-3587 pulse oximeter connects to the iPad or iPhone without the need for its own power supply. It’s compatible with iOS 5.0 and above and sells for $249.

Visit ispo2.com for more information.

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Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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