Final answer:
Supplemental oxygen is vital for climbers above 18,000 feet due to decreased partial pressure of oxygen and atmospheric pressure, leading to lower hemoglobin saturation and potential hypoxia. Climbers may require additional oxygen as natural acclimatization is often not sufficient at these altitudes to prevent altitude sickness and ensure safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Supplemental Oxygen Requirements at High Altitudes
Supplemental oxygen is crucial for mountaineers as they ascend to high altitudes where the atmospheric pressure is significantly lower, and the partial pressure of oxygen drops. This decrease in oxygen availability can lead to hypoxia, an inadequate supply of oxygen to the body. As the altitude increases, the atmospheric pressure decreases, and despite the proportion of oxygen in the atmosphere remaining at approximately 21 percent, its partial pressure diminishes, making it more challenging to achieve the same level of oxygen saturation as at sea level.
For example, at 18,000 feet above sea level, hemoglobin saturation is around 67 percent compared to 98 percent at sea level. To maintain adequate oxygenation, mountaineers have to use supplemental oxygen, especially above 18,000 feet where natural acclimatization may not be sufficient to prevent acute mountain sickness (AMS). The body may compensate by producing more hemoglobin, but it takes about 10 days for the body to adjust the hemoglobin levels in the blood sufficiently.
People living at higher altitudes have naturally higher levels of hemoglobin, but climbers not acclimated to such conditions require supplemental oxygen to avoid serious health issues. Thus, understanding the supplemental oxygen requirements is essential for safe and successful high-altitude climbing.