[Oxygen consumption by resting humans at different Elbrus altitudes]

The purpose of the work was to test experimentally the "hypoxic paradox" of growing or constant oxygen consumption by normal humans exposed to O2-deficient environments. The objective was to perform thorough statistical analysis of O2 consumption at two altitudes above sea level under the conditions of close to basic metabolism, and to develop an analytical expression for adequate description of O2 consumption dependence on altitude above seal level. The investigation was fulfilled in August, 2009 at the altitudes of 2224 and 4200 m on Elbrus flanks with participation of 4 volunteers. It was shown that O2 consumption by resting humans decreases with altitude, i.e. the "hypoxic paradox" is invalid. An analytical expression was proposed to describe change in O2 consumption in the interval of altitudes from 0 to 4200 m above sea level.