bottled oxygen

[Dave Paradowski]

I just read the post on blood clotting products. Good idea to carry some product for that purpose. I know there are people out there with varying degrees of breathing problems. Does anyone carry a small canister of oxygen with them for added boost in energy when needed upon exertion? I carry with me Boost Oxygen [95% pure Aviators Breathers Oxygen]. It's available in several in several sizes and reasonably priced. Website: boostoxygen.com
DaveP

[monterey]

I drink a six pack of 16 oz Coors in aluminum screw top cans before leaving camp. Then with the cap screwed on tight you have a whole can full of denser air than at your high altitude destination. 

[pavan]

The things that people have done earlier in life and the environments they lived in or worked in can start catching up to them as they get older, an oxygen boost is a good idea.  People on high blood pressure meds that keep the heart from beating harder,(this gives a better BP reading only), quite often find that breathing is difficult with exertion.   Now, about a 6 pack of 16oz. beer before leaving camp, I hope that is a joke. 

[monterey]

Hah, I just turned 72.  I'm way beyond being able to finish a drinking project of that scale! 

I'm fortunate in that I live at 5600' and am able to get into the high country pretty often.  I've done several hikes this year in the area I'll hunt opening day (8-25) at 10,800' and have had no problems.

For someone who is coming from lower elevation without any experience hunting high, a can of oxygen is probably a good insurance plan.  IMO, if you are up high and find you need it you should use it to get back down rather than try to continue the hunt.  The secret is to move at a pace that you can continue at without frequent resting.  Watch your heart rate and know what your low side training rate is and try not to exceed it.  You will get there just as fast pacing yourself as you will pushing beyond a comfortable heart rate and breathing zone.

I see those cans of oxygen for sale at some of the gas stations in the mountains but I wouldn't count on finding it after you get to the hills.

So, my view on it is the oxygen should be carried and used as a part of your emergency/first aid kit.  If you need it, use it to get back to safety.

[LongbowArchitect]

My son and I hiked up 14,000' Pikes Peak a couple of weeks ago to prepare for bowhunting. We saw several hikers with Boost Oxygen canisters and they swore by them. It must work.

[pavan]

A couple of years backI went north of Yellowstone to try to photograph goats, I got a few bad pics of sheep and saw the goats way across a super deep valley way above the tree line, at least i think those white specs moving around were goats.  I could have used a wagon load of oxygen that day. 

[olddogrib]

monterey,
I can't say that I wholly agree with your logic and conclusions, but your methodology is flawless!

[Terry Green]

That is not a bad idea for high elevations and also for high elevations make sure you bring plenty  of water... and drink a lot of water two or three days before you climb or arrive.

[C. Johnson]

I drink a six pack of 16 oz Coors in aluminum screw top cans before leaving camp. Then with the cap screwed on tight you have a whole can full of denser air than at your high altitude destination.

No you don't...  I know better.  Nobody from Colorado drinks Coors......

[monterey]

I'm found out!

[Charlie Lamb]

I can see the benefit, I'm just not sure I want to carry the extra weight.

By the way... how much does oxygen weigh?

[Terry Green]

Charlie, less than the bottle sir.

[Macatawa]

I found a six pack of Coors under a bridge on the Rock River in Iowa on a hot day when we were fly fishing for skip jacks and gar.

Someone probably just threw it away...

can't say as I blame 'em....carbonated water does not equal beer....still   

[Wudstix]

Hydrate as mentioned above, keep fat content high in the foods you eat on the trail.

[Terry Green]

I drink a six pack of 16 oz Coors in aluminum screw top cans before leaving camp. Then with the cap screwed on tight you have a whole can full of denser air than at your high altitude destination.

[JohnV]

How much oxygen can you compress into a small can that is small and light enough to carry?  Is it enough to make any real difference???

[acedoc]

How much oxygen can you compress into a small can that is small and light enough to carry?  Is it enough to make any real difference???

Not really. Even if you are carrying  a 200 liter bottle how long will it last @ 2litres per minute ? It may make a difference if someone has a coronary and that too for limited periods.
If anyone is interested I will post the various high altitude acclimatization and optimisation links on this thread. Far from eating fat food higher in carbohydrates is better for high altitude. If you train gradually for exertion in high altitude then most such problems can be obviated. 
If you are a highlander then ofcourse you have an edge.