大象传媒

Recreating conditions at altitude
without going to Everest

• Kay
• 30 Aug 06, 03:25 AM

We have been asked whether it is possible to recreate the conditions of altitude without going to Everest. It is possible to put people into pressure chambers and take the pressure down to the equivalent on Everest. It is also possible to bring the temperature down to those that would be experienced whilst on Everest. There are a number of reasons why we are not using chambers for this study.

The scientific research is attempting to look at how people adapt to altitude over time, by studying a core group of climbers going to the summit of Everest, but also 208 trekkers going to Everest Base Camp. To reproduce this in a chamber would require us to put 208 trekkers in a chamber for two weeks at a time to induce an acclimatisation process in the body. Not only would this require a huge nuber of pressure chambers with 24 hour medical supervision, but also 208 people willing to give up 2 weeks to sit in a small enclosed box. The cost of the chambers is high, higher than the cost of taking the trekkers to Everest Base Camp, and it would be hard to ask individuals to pay for this experience. To achieve the ascent profile to be undertaken by the climbers would require the climbers to spend around 8 weeks in the chamber, again with 24 hour medical cover. Realistically, taking the expedition to Everest is more easily achievable than putting people in chambers.