Elevation training mask.

[six]

Anyone ever try one of these? I bought one this afternoon and it seems to work pretty well. It made me breath hard while I was driving. I had it set on 15000 feet. Salesperson/owner told me if I train with it the effects of elevation will be minimal.

[Broken arrow]

You can't mimic elevation (less oxygen) at sea level. I've heard that the mask are actually stressful to your heart. Acclimation is the best way. My .02

[Freebird134]

I know nothing about this, but look forward to seeing what others say. I've never had an issue with elevation, but I've never hunted at 15k.

I think Broken arrow is right, acclimation is the best way. But I also recognize that "the best way" is subjective and sometimes a guy can't do "the best way." I think we often forget this on these forums (the best pack, best shoes, best this and best that... are not available to all of us). I'm curious what others think.

[Broken arrow]

I'm a flatlander freebird and I'd do anything I could to help with elevation. But from what I've read starving yourself of oxygen is not good. When you come from sea level to elavation the chemical composition of your blood changes. And you can't mimic that at sea level. So I've read. I'm not a doctor or expert just what I've read. Really for us flatlander a doctor advice might be best?

[>>>---WW---->]

I've never seen the elevation training mask you are talking about. How much does one cost?

Here is a tip that might save you a little money. Go down to your local paint or hardware store and buy a paper dust mask. Try a short run with that thing on and you'll be sucking for air like crazy. I have know idea if it could prepare you for a hunt or not. But I'll guarantee you it won't even come close to to what it feels like to charge up a 30% mountain side at 10,000 ft. elevation.

[six]

The mask was $40. I bought it at the store where they are being manufactured. The cost on the internet was $79.
I'm not really looking for a cure all. Hoping it helps me acclimate a little better. Driving from 1400 feet at home to camp at 10000 feet it usually takes me 2 or 3 days to feel 100%.

[Indian Summer]

I'm a flatlander freebird and I'd do anything I could to help with elevation. But from what I've read starving yourself of oxygen is not good. When you come from sea level to elavation the chemical composition of your blood changes. And you can't mimic that at sea level. So I've read. I'm not a doctor or expert just what I've read. Really for us flatlander a doctor advice might be best?

Thanks Broken... saved me some typing. You could just put a zip strip around your neck right. That or maybe a plastic bag over your head with just enough air holes to sustain life.

[tobster43]

Hey guys ok I have to say I disagree with your findings #1 when I used the mask for a 6 week period of time I actually felt a huge difference in my breathing #2 The training mask has clinical data, personal data and many findings that you guys don't include on this forum. You can find them on their website here is the link http://blog.trainingmask.com/elevation-training-mask-technical-report-clinical-trial and a personal study here http://blog.trainingmask.com/elevate-your-training-by-doctor-joseph

You "dust mask" or snorkel theory's are ridiculous in the fact that these don't bring "resistance" they bring sub partial intake
please do your research before smashing a product that I supporting our sport!

you can get more info here http://www.trainingmask.com

[fiddlerE]

Pretty new and typically a lurker but here's something to consider. I don't think it's surprising you are breathing better since a restrictive mask will be a workout for your lungs. However, the mask will not cause any physiologic change. The higher you go, the more red blood cells your body will make. Once you go back down to low altitude, you won't have the number of cells you would if you lived up high. When people hike Mt. Everest, they sit at base camp for a month or more to allow cell production to catch up with the thin air. Never read anyone using a training mask to circumvent the issue. I would think it still helps though to increase the strength of the diaphragm. Food for thought....

[cnelk]

I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane at 15,000 once.

[KMT]

Sounds like a gimmick to me. I've never heard or read of any serious climbers using such a thing.

[Mikeha33]

I live at about 850' elevation, and I realize that there is no way to prepare myself for hunting at 11500'. BUT, I have been training with a respirator with the smallest particulate filters available to help with the situation. I have no idea if it'll actually do any good, but I was told to do it by a cousin of mine, who is a professional mountaineer, and spends 30-40 days in a row above 10000', running a christian wilderness outdoors program for troubled teens. My thoughts on the benefits are two-fold; One, it will help your lungs get use to having to struggle for more oxygen that is less readily available; and Two, it will help your diaphragm muscles get in shape to breathe harder, just as we train the rest of our bodies, with resistance and aerobic training.

[Bowhunter]

I use one of theese for a couple months before season. http://www.ultrabreathe.com/us/index.htm It works to exercise your diaphragm or breathing muscles. I feel that it helps some but it does not give you the experience of higher altitude. At high altitude you have less oxygen in the air. I get to altitude a couple days early to adjust. Another post said something about red blood cells. Red blood cells carry the oxygen to you muscles and with a higher red blood cell count you get more oxygen to your muscles. If my memeory is correct Lance Armstrong was taking a suplement that really boosted his red blood cell count. That was how he performed better.

[mtnmutt]

If you wish to help develop your lungs, try swimming crawl laps. People under estimate the benefits of swimming. The crawl stroke also uses some of the same muscles as drawing a bow. I know it is difficult to find a swimming pool and fit it into your busy schedules. There are Ys all over the place.

[cnelk]

If my memeory is correct Lance Armstrong was taking a suplement that really boosted his red blood cell count. That was how he performed better.

Among other things...

[Mikeha33]

Pretty sure Lance "LiveStrong" Armstrong also cut some unnecessary body weight to gain advantage.

[WindedBowhunter]

As a flat lander, I am interested in findings posted here after some training with it and then putting your body to the test.

Not being a doctor, nor playing one on TV allows me to make opinions on my own and with other's influence.

But, correct me if I am wrong, once you get above 8k' the oxygen levels are greatly reduced over sea level oxygen levels.

When you're not used to high elevations, your lungs start to gasp and struggle to obtain more oxygen. Working as a Hazmat Technician for many years, wearing both and SCBA and a filtration mask didn't feel much different than being at these higher elevations.

I have seen the mask written up in a few outdoor mags, and interested in its findings not done by the manufacturer or marketing firm.

One tip that I do is I sleep at the base of the trailhead or in town near the trailhead before every backcountry hunt. This allows my sea level lungs to "brace for impact"!