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Breathe Easy at Altitude

What do you need when it comes to aviator’s oxygen?

For such a serious problem, the ­solution is straightforward, with virtually no side effects other than a small investment. If your airplane isn’t pressurized or doesn’t come with oxygen onboard, you can bring your own. Kent Raney/Shutterstock
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Hypoxia is an insidious and underestimated danger for pilots, capable of impairing cognitive function and leading to fatigue even at altitudes below legal oxygen requirements (e.g., 8,000-10,000 feet).
  • The article highlights tragic real-world consequences and argues that current supplemental oxygen regulations are insufficient to ensure pilot safety and optimal performance.
  • Pilots are strongly advised to proactively use supplemental oxygen at lower altitudes than legally mandated and to monitor their oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter to maintain peak mental and physical function and enhance flight safety.
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I was having the time of my life: We were traveling home to the Boulder Municipal Airport following my first mountain checkout back in 1992, and I was on my way to a commercial pilot certificate. But more so than that, the peaks and vistas west of the Front Range of Colorado beckoned.

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