Anesthesia Monitors to Track Training?

[tuppertn]

I'm just getting started with some apnea training--and I mean, just getting started. Over the past week or so I've done a personal best of only 3 min 33 sec (dry) using the basic techniques off this forum.

Here's the question: Where I work I have access to the vital sign monitors typically used in an operating theater. Among these are a pulse oximeter and an capnograph (exhaled CO2 level). Would these monitors be of any training use as beginner?

This morning I put on the pulse oximeter and did a 2-minute deep diaphragm breathing prep and single breath hold. My O2 level went from 97% to 100% with the prep. I did 2 min 31 sec and reached a low O2 saturation of 90%. Most of the drop happened in the last 30 seconds of apnea.

Now, like I said, I'm a rank beginner and I'm not in the greatest physical shape right now either. As far as I'm concerned I've got nowhere to go but up. But is there any utility to following numbers like this or is it just a curiosity?

kendall

 

[efattah]

These are useful tools, I have an oximeter and capnograph.

Here are some numbers from tests on me:
To do 8'00" in static, I need to be at 90% SaO2 after 5 minutes
To do 7'00" in static, I need to be at 82% SaO2 after 5 minutes
To do 6'00" in static, I need to be at 90% SaO2 after 3'30"

When I first started with oximeters in 2001, my best for 3'30" was 90%. By 2004 I had done 3'30" apneas finishing at 97%.

You can also measure your samba threshold, which for me varies from 55% to 28% based on training, although you need a Masimo SET oximeter to measure anything under 60% reliably.

The capnograph is also useful. Using CO2 tables I have gone to 11%. On a usual static I start around 3.0%-3.5% and end around 7.5 to 8%.

Another great test with the capnograph is to take one breath and hold til the first contraction, then exhale and measure. If you can resist contractions beyond 7%, that's great.

 

[tuppertn]

These are useful tools, I have an oximeter and capnograph.

When I first started with oximeters in 2001, my best for 3'30" was 90%. By 2004 I had done 3'30" apneas finishing at 97%.

The capnograph is also useful. Using CO2 tables I have gone to 11%. On a usual static I start around 3.0%-3.5% and end around 7.5 to 8%.

Another great test with the capnograph is to take one breath and hold til the first contraction, then exhale and measure. If you can resist contractions beyond 7%, that's great.

Wow. That's good to know. There seemed to be a BIG difference over a short time between 97% and 90% for me. I stayed up at 100% for over a minute. By the end of 2 minutes I was still 97%. Then it fell rather precipitously.

Our capnographs display in mmHg. I'd have to figure out how to get it to display percent so I can play with those measurements.

Cool.

kendall