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What information can we infer from Pulse Ox?

Chris
over 2 years ago

Hello Instinct 2 forum,

I purchased my IS2 as a rugged fitness/outdoor watch. I knew it contained the ability to measure peripheral oxygenated blood levels, but never used until the last couple of days. 

I've watched reviews saying that it isn't accurate as a medical grade device (of course) but I'm wondering if it HAS been accurate for anyone, and what information you've gathered from it. As in with most non-medical-grade devices, what information can we infer from it's changes over time? Maybe some specific use cases would be interesting to hear (illness, flying, etc.)

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Unlike for some others, for me the PulseOx data from my Instict 2 is pretty accurate, and on par with a fingertip oximeter, giving practically the same values anytime. I use the nightly monitoring, which can reveal sleep disorders and sleep apnea. I also used it to monitor my SpO₂ during a Covid infection. And then, I use it during freediving, and during static and dynamic apnea trainings. I am rather happy with the accuracy. I get more reliable results only with earlobe oximeters, because they are not as influenced by peripheral vasoconstriction, that kicks in during longer apneas, as fingertip or wrist mounted oximeters.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    In pre-covid times pulseox was targeted mainly at high-altitude mountain climbers. I don't know much about that, but perhaps for such use cases the sensor is accurate enough.

    But now of course everyone wants to monitor their blood oxygenation for medical purposes, and for that the sensor seems not to be accurate enough.

    Personally, I do not use pulseox regularly, but whenever I check it (out of curiosity mostly) it gives me results in the range 92-100%, with 95% being the most prevalent result (I am at sea level with no diagnosed respiratory problems), and this doesn't seem to be medically accurate.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    I use SpO2 for medical reasons and have a medical device to verify.  Mine is very, very close to the same fingerclip type with certified calibration used by hospitals.  The fingertip one, even with certified calibration, is not a substitute for invasive, direct O2 saturation by a catheter sonde, but this is the basis of medicine where repeatability and experience of practitioners is critical.  It's pretty shocking how close to the clip the watch is.  There was also a point where I had surgery and kept my watch on for it and it was measuring the O2 saturation which is also measured by the anesthesiologist.  I have the protocols and the values were very, very, very close. 

    I also do high-altitude hiking, climbing, and snowboarding.  I actually see the difference when I have some sorts of transient cognition abnormalities.  Nothing severe, but I realize I'm dazing a bit when I'm pushing too much.  I also use mine during sleep due to upper respiratory issues and when I have a high apnea-hypnea index, I can see the lowered saturation timeframes.

    Bottom line: this works and is helpful.