A lot of people believe that a pulse oximeter can only be found in hospitals and clinics. Although true, it doesn’t mean that a pulse oximeter should only be confined in clinical settings. Aside from recovering patients who uses a pulse oximeter for home use and monitoring, it is presently used by people during their exercises or simply as they go about their daily activities and functions.

Pulse oximeters are relatively safe to use and there is no harm done by just simply clipping the probe to the finger, ear, or to certain parts of the body. Since it is a non-invasive procedure, it is preferred by physicians and experts in assessing the oxygenation status of a person. Of course, no one would want to experience hypoxia, a condition where body tissues are deprived of oxygen.

Hypoxia is potentially fatal for several minutes if it persists. Thus, a lot of health conscious people are buying a pulse oximeter for their self-monitoring system. Most people who buy the pulse oximeter are those who are prone to environments or scenarios that could possibly reduce the oxygen level content in their body.

It can also be used by pilot when riding non-pressurized aircrafts. It is necessary for them to monitor their body’s oxygen levels because higher altitudes have lesser oxygen in the atmosphere. With a pulse oximeter on hand, pilots can easily identify whether or not to have supplementary oxygen. Prior to high altitudes, a pulse oximeter will also be of great use to mountain climbers.

Sports athletes also consider the pulse oximeter quite useful. Due to rigorous trainings and exercises, they would want to monitor whether their increased physical activity is already compromising their health as strenuous exercise may lead to hypoxia. By measuring the oxygen saturation in the blood, athletes will be able to assess how their body is responding to physical activity.

There are various types of pulse oximeters that are ideal for these cases. The hand-held type or a finger pulse oximeter that is motion-resistant would be the best option for pilots, mountaineers, and runners. For a cyclist, a wrist oximeter such as the PC-68 is much preferred to avoid interfering with holding the handlebars of the bicycle.

There are a lot more type of pulse oximeters which vary from a person’s needs. Hence, it proves that a pulse oximeter is not only useful in hospitals for monitoring the patients’ pulmonary status or to recuperating patients as they use this inside their home. It is also a useful device to those who are physically active so that they will always stay in line as they commit to exhausting physical activities.