Spending half your life at 8000 feet

[IRRenewal]

Just a thought which occured to me as a result of a proposed ban on the use of those oxygen tent thingies which seem popular with sporters. Spending time in these things is supposed to raise your red blood cell count and therefore give you an unfair advantage over the competition.

As a result of all this media coverage I was wondering if spending considerable amounts of time at a cabin altitude of 8000' would have a measurable effect on air crew in this respect. If you work the maximum of 900 hours a year you average some 2 hours/day at 8000'. Would this be enough to make a difference?

Any thoughts appreciated.

cheers

Gerard

[Flyin'Dutch']

Would this be enough to make a difference?

No.

(IIRC it takes a minimum of 3 consecutive weeks to achieve a measurable difference)

900 hours is not 'half your life'

It is 37.5 days.

Gawd, you lot have an easy life!

;)

[27mm]

Interesting question, nonetheless, especially if you're a smoker - cabin alt might be 8000ft, but yours will certainly be higher....

[Jinkster]

Lots of people in the Himalayas live higher than 8000ft and it doesnt do them much harm!

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0401/feature5/zoom1.html