What if? - INDA DESIGN III - cl: Nov 4, 2011

20111104

A

ALTITUDE

Pressure and Altitude
Atmospheric pressure drops off rapidly (amount of oxygen decreases).
5000m - 50%
7000m - 40%
9000m - 30% (a rapid ascent to this altitude would result in unconsciousness and death soon after.)

Acclimatization
-When the body slowly adapts to lower oxygen level.
-Not possible to adapt to permanent habitation above around 5000m.
-The higher you go, the more rapid the deterioration in health.
-Endanger ability to descend. (should rest every2-3days)
-A number of adaptations occur to enable human body to tolerate with low oxygen level.

-Above 5000, few people can adjust anymore (health+ability get worse)

To Achieve Acclimatization
1. After 2400m, do not climb more than 400m from previous night's sleeping altitude.
2. Stop at several altitudes to allow a greater rate of acclimatization.

Altitude Illness
1.Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
-Shortage of oxygen
-a.k.a. altitude sickness or mountain sickness
-above 2500m
-75% will have mild symptoms (minor headache and nausea)
-Symptoms include: headache, exhaustion/fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, poor appetite and sleep.
-proper acclimatization should alleviate most problems
-Drug=Diamox (Acetazolamide)

2.High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
-Lungs starve oxygen (air pockets in the lungs are filled with fluid, preventing oxygen getting into the blood).
-one of the biggest kilers
-happens anywhere above 2500m
-usually develops after 2-3 days
-Symptoms: extreme difficulty breathing, very rapid breathing rate, exhaustion, lack of motivation, pale complexion, constant coughing, gurgling sounds coming from chest
-Needs acclimatization
-Immediate descent is vital.
-Drugs=Nifedipine(opens up blood vessels in the lungs), Sildenafil, Dexamethasone(steriod)

3.High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
-Blood vessels in the brain are damaged --- fluid may leak out and causes HACE
-Happens above 3000m
-Symptoms: profoundly inhabited mental function, hallucinations, loss of muscle coordination, impaired speech, severe headache, nausea or vomiting, coma
-can be prevented through proper acclimatization
-can only be treated by immediate, rapid descent or by the use of hyperbaric chamber
-Drug= Dexamethasone & Oxygen should be given

PROPOSAL

The physical structure will go up as high as 3200m before the application of virtual reality takes place. It actually could go up higher since the altitude of human survivability is 6000m and the highest human habitation (La Riconada, Peru) is located at 5100m. But due to the fact that the types of clouds remain the same in between these altitudes, I decided to stop it right here which will benefit the user in terms of health in order to provide a plausible experience (still could be suicidal depending on each of the user himself).

Resting spaces are provided at every 400m since it is advised to not climb more than 400 m from previous night's sleep after an altitude of 2400m. However this information is for a well prepared mountaineer so I decided to include more resting spots below the 2400m altitude for normal people.

Essential factors for surviving at high altitudes are provided.

Water, Oxygen and Heat will be distributed through a distribution channel with a storage underground.

-Water could be extracted from precipitation in the atmosphere.
-Heat from solar energy.
-Oxygen could probably be extracted and generated from the pond water. I'm not sure if it is possible though since it is freshwater and I only found the technology for oxygen extraction from saltwater.

VIRTUAL REALITY
There will be multiple virtual reality units --- one unit per one person because users will not reach this height at the same time thus the projection of higher altitudes will start at a different time for each person.

These are examples of aerial views projection above Chula's water pond (coordinates = 13˚74' N, 100˚53'E)

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