Frequently Asked Question

AltiPower Frequently Asked Questions. Simulated altitude training.

We are happy to address any of your questions or concerns. Please check our frequently asked questions below as you may find the answer you are looking for. If not, you can contact us on the details listed at the bottom of this page. If you have a question related to the efficiency of your IHT, we would recommend to use our professional online consultation service.

AltiPower is intended for use by generally healthy people. If you are unsure if you should use AltiPower, please consult your healthcare practitioner. The device is able to deliver oxygen levels that simulate extreme altitudes and must only be used according to instructions provided with the device. Prolonged (continuous exposure longer than 30 minutes) low levels of arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) below 83% or, in highly trained individuals, below 80% are dangerous and must be avoided in all cases! Appropriate selection of intensity, duration and interval timing of exposure will prevent such prolonged decreases in SpO2.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT) is contraindicated in (i.e. must not be conducted by) people with; acute somatic or viral diseases, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), intolerance to oxygen insufficiency, disease with symptoms of decompensation, terminal illness or cancer.

Those with the following conditions should seek advise, approval and close supervision by a licensed healthcare practitioner familiar with IHT; epilepsy, pacemakers or heart arrhythmia, chronic fatigue and women in the first trimester of pregnancy or with a history of miscarriages.

Safety

I am ordering online, how long will the shipment take?

In 95% cases the orders is received in 5-7 days after payment and we can use express mail service for faster delivery.

Will I need to order additional items to make the AltiPower Pro Kit operational?

No. Everything is supplied for a 3-4 week full course of IHT in the Pro Kit, with no hidden extras.

For ongoing use of the AltiPower, what do I need to order?

For a 3-4 week training course, you would need 2 cartridges. After the training course they need to be replaced. We offer a budget pack of 4 cartridges. (4 cartridges at the cost of 3!)

How high in altitude can I go with AltiPower?

For the majority of people using this hypoxicator simulated altitude can be as high as 6,500m (20,000ft). It is important to use pulse oximeter when aiming extreme altitudes that provides essential biofeedback and proper control over hypoxia challenge. Note that as the cartridge approaches the end of its useful life, the maximum simulated altitude will reduce.

How often should I change the breathing bag?

It is recommended to change the breathing bag before each use of the AltiPower for hygienic purposes, however in a clean environment you may re-use them several times.

How does the AltiPower compare to other hand-held hypoxicators for example, rebreathers?

AltiPower was developed by a professional Biomedical Engineer with a 20-year expertise in the field. Our company has worked to eliminate all previously known issues and drawbacks of the rebreather – hypoxicators. Rebreathers were developed in the 20th-century. (i.e. very hot air, high resistance to breathe through, excessive CO2, etc). The AltiPower, however, is the most advanced and user friendly individual hypoxicator on the market.

What would be the ongoing or operational costs?

2 cartridges are required for a full 3-4 week training course. Depending on your application you may choose to do 2-3 training courses per year or simply use the AltiPower before an important event.

Can two/three people use the hypoxicator device?

For hygienic reasons and to avoid possible cross – infection, the training manual recommends individual use of the device. In a close family, when the cross infection is inevitable (for example husband and wife) you may elect sharing the AltiPower at your own risk.

About IHT

Can you briefly explain the training protocol?

You start IHT at lower simulated altitudes (higher oxygen concentrations) and gradually increase the simulated altitude every few days until you reach the highest altitude that you are comfortable with and continue IHT at this level for the rest of the course.

The pulse oximeter will allow you to monitor your individual reaction to hypoxic air breathing by providing a reading of the level of arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). This allows for accurate control of your training session.

Session duration is between 60 min (for the majority of people) and up to 120min (for extreme sports). Each session consists of alternating hypoxic (mask) breathing with breaks of ambient air breathing.

A training course normally comprises of 15 – 20 sessions over a 3-4 week period. After that you can continue your IHT in maintenance mode OR repeat full courses 3-4 times per years, depending on your objectives.

How do people react to hypoxic exposure equivalent to 17,000 feet (5200m)? Is it comfortable to sit and read or is it unpleasant?

The important thing to remember is that with IHT you are not exposed to high simulated altitudes for prolonged periods, each hypoxic interval would typically be no longer than 7 minutes. During the hypoxic exposure you will have a minor increase in heart rate and breathing (ventilation). There is no impairment to cognitive abilities with short term exposure to these altitudes and the user typically does not experience any unpleasant sensations if the standard protocols are adhered to. On the contrary, the process is relaxing and has a calming effect on almost everyone.

How can you have the same result by using AltiPower® for only one hour a day when you would sleep in an altitude tent for 8 hours a day?

Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT) implemented in AltiPower® units is based on the scientific finding that the maximum benefit of hypoxic stimulation is induced by repeated short exposures LOW-HIGH-LOW, not by long durations of hypoxic breathing. The short altitude exposure of IHT also allows for a considerably higher altitude to be simulated compared to that used in “sleep” systems. IHT is simply a more efficient technique.

About Altipower®

Does the system have fail-safes against dangerously low levels of oxygen?

AltiPower® is equipped with a patented system to prevent the production of dangerously low oxygen air. When the device is used as intended it can not produce air with less than 7%-8% oxygen. In addition, the mask is hand held and can be removed at any time if unpleasant sensations are experienced. In the worst case scenario of the user fainting, the mask would come away from the face and allow ambient air to be breathed. DO NOT STRAP ON THE MASK.

How long will the AltiPower® cartridge last? I need to know in order to purchase extra cartridges with my order.

The cartridges have a shelf life of up to 2 years. In use each cartridge lasts a maximum of ten sessions OR 14 days after removal from the original packaging. The exact number of sessions is dependent upon the type of training selected (session duration and interval timing), the use of the unit (SpO2 targets) and the particulars of the person using it (such as lung volume and ventilation rates). Two cartridges are supplied with each AltiPower Kit, typically allowing for a full 4-week IHT course. If you are planning to repeat IHT courses regularly, or to conduct “top-up” sessions, it is advisable to purchase spare cartridges with your AltiPower in order to save on freight. A budget 4-cartridge pack is available from our E-shop.

Does AltiPower® require any maintenance?

Your AltiPower requires very little maintenance: The breathing bags and cartridges are disposable and must be changed when required and the other plastic components should be cleaned periodically in warm water. Refer to the maintenance section of the manual.

I noticed during first 5-8 sessions the cartridge became warm. Now it stays cool even after 20 or 30 minutes. What does it mean?

If your cartridge does not get warm anymore it is an indication that the chemical (soda lime) is depleted. The cartridge is no longer effectively removing CO2 and requires replacement. It is recommended that you change your cartridge immediately to maximize the benefits of IHT.

What if I use an AltiPower cartridge for longer than recommended?

The unit may no longer function correctly and the efficiency of the training will be diminished. Breathing through the device may become difficult or uncomfortable. The CO2 absorption capacity of the chemical in the cartridge will be depleted and it is no longer able to provide you with carbon dioxide-free air. Please follow the recommendations.

I am wearing the pulse oximeter, but the reading of SpO2 does not decrease, even after 1 or 2 minutes of breathing through AltiPower. What is wrong?

Most likely your AltiPower is assembled incorrectly and you are simply breathing ambient air. Check whether the breathing bag is installed correctly and all other parts are in place. Refer to Getting Started and Assembly sections of the user manual / guide. Check that the pulse oximeter is functioning correctly.

I have an oxygen analyser fitted to the hypoxicator, however there is no noticeable change in its reading even if I fully extend the receiver cage. What is wrong?

Most likely your AltiPower is assembled incorrectly and you are simply breathing ambient air. Check whether the breathing bag is installed correctly and all other parts are in place. Refer to Getting Started and Assembly sections of the user manual / guide. Use a pulse oximeter to verify your blood oxygen saturation levels during training. A pulse oximeter may be useful in indicating your blood oxygen saturation levels during training.

I feel drowsy, dizzy and / or nauseous when breathing through the AltiPower mask. What should I do?

If you feel that these symptoms are too severe, or you start to develop a headache, or have an abnormal heart rate, or other unpleasant sensations, stop the session immediately. Consult your healthcare practitioner before continuing your IHT course.

Mild dizziness, drowsiness and / or slight nausea are sometimes initial reactions to hypoxic training, particularly if you have not
lived at high altitude or performed any hypoxic training before. Try to reduce the simulated altitude (increase your SpO2) during the hypoxic interval. The symptoms generally recede after a couple of sessions as you begin to acclimatize to the simulated altitude.

Can I lend my AltiPower Portable Hypoxicator to a friend of mine?

No. Your hypoxicator is a device with a semi-closed re-breathing circuit. The air exhaled by an individual may be contaminated with bacteria or viruses, which may be passed onto another user. As the unit cannot be sterilized– the chances of cross-infection are quite high and we advice not to take the risk.

Can I exercise while using AltiPower?

No. The AltiPower is designed for use at rest. It will not function correctly at the higher ventilation rates present during exercise. Relax and gain the benefits of IHT – let the simulated altitude do the training.

Sports Application

Since breathing hypoxic air is a stress, will this hurt my training?

The stress that the body experiences while breathing hypoxic air can has virtually the same effect as exercise (but without physical exertion). Following the supplied training protocols and recommendations should help to avoid overtraining, but be aware that IHT will add to your overall training load.

Will I have to cut back on my physical training as a result of IHT?

Unlike staying at an altitude camp, using AltiPower® does not require that you cut back on your conventional training. However, on “hard days”, when you exercise at particular high intensities, you may notice that your SpO2 drops noticeably quicker compared to the days when you are off your training. You may wish to reduce the duration of the IHT session if you feel that it is a bit too challenging.

I would like to have a feel for how I can incorporate IHT into my training without having to make major changes to what is already working well.

Using IHT 3-5 times a week will increase your body’s ability to supply and utilise oxygen, therefore increasing overall efficiency of your systems. You can also expect to cut your recovery time. Since IHT requires no more than 90 minutes per day, it should not infringe significantly on your current regime. In effect most of the people enjoy IHT as a very pleasant and relaxing time – you can read or watch TV while your body “exercises” at high altitude.

Suppose I train twice a day (ride in the morning, workout in the evening), could I maintain this schedule and do IHT after the evening workout, just before going to bed?

You can do IHT at any time convenient for you. The only requirement is – CONSIDER IHT AS A TRAINING SESSION and do not mix it with your other conventional training. Finish IHT at least 1.5-2 hours before normal training or start IHT 1-1.5 hours after completing physical workouts to avoid overtraining. Using IHT in the evening is fine (a bit tough after a good dinner though): you may find that IHT has a sedative effect and will result in great sleep.

Who are the users of IHT equipment?

Our equipment is used by hundreds of top elite athletes world-wide. As most of the elite athletes do not like to share their training secrets we respect their privacy and not to disclose names. Scientific research indicates significant improvements even in highly trained athletes. Performance increases in both aerobic and anaerobic systems resulting from IHT have been recorded. Reduction in athlete’s recovery time and overall body efficiency during exercise was demonstrated by various independent researchers.

Is there any reported data on actual performance improvement in elite athletes?

Visit our RESARCH and PUBLICATIONS pages for more data on research done. Double-blind placebo controlled study once again reinforces the fact that IHT does improve athletic performance even in elite athletes. Normally an athlete can expect a boost in the range of 1-4%. More publications to follow shortly. We here at BIOMEDTECH are available to help you with any questions that you may have. If you can not find an answer to you question above, feel free to contact us directly: