Comments on: Lowest Blood Oxygen Levels Ever Recorded

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:05:24 +0000

Not necessarily foolish. Extra information never hurts. It's possible the body releases a chemical at such low pressures that allows the body to absorb oxygen at low pressures and release it when the pressure difference may not be substantial. Changes in the relative affinity of the hemoglobin for oxygen. Fetal hemoglobin, for example, has a higher affinity for oxygen than adult hemoglobin, allowing the fetus to steal oxygen more effectively from the mother.

By: Brenda Coulter

Brenda Coulter — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:01:45 +0000

The other commenters have made some excellent points. I'd just like to add that an individual in intensive care is either extremely sick or badly injured. Comparing that half-dead person's low blood oxygen to that of a healthy mountain climber whose body has had several weeks to adapt to high altitude and who is also experiencing one adrenalin rush after another seems foolish in the extreme.

By: Rocky Rook

Rocky Rook — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:43:06 +0000

Wow. I'll stay away from Everest for a while.

By: Miss Cellania

Miss Cellania — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:21:21 +0000

Wow, I am just now starting to get comment notification on this. I will correct the spelling. Thanks!

By: Gail Pink

Gail Pink — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:13:58 +0000

Maybe they were dead, having "bkood" and all...

By: LV

LV — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:19:45 +0000

Climbing a mountain is not a sudden thing. There is no sudden drop in blood oxygen levels.The body has time to adjust and compensate.

By: just a guy

just a guy — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:45:17 +0000

I'm suprised medical scientist didn't consider the implications of the lower-pressured atmosphere at high altitudes. I'm sure that has something to do with it.

By: DaveL

DaveL — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:16:56 +0000

There's something dodgy about their claims IMHO. Either their test methodology was faulty (for instance, perhaps they didn't properly account for the roughly 35% change in atmospheric pressure from the altitude where they took the samples to where the readings were made) or they knew that measuring a gas at different pressures would produce these results and are just looking for some suckers to help fund their hobby.

By: shecky

shecky — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:03:37 +0000

Yet another good reason to stay the hell off that barren ice covered rock.

By: Jerse

Jerse — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:03:01 +0000

bkood