We are conducting a research project to investigate how people prepare for climbs of mountains above 6,000 m and, in particular, whether or not they use hypoxic training systems, which allow climbers to sleep and/or exercise in low oxygen (i.e. hypoxic) conditions, as part of their trip preparation. If you are 18 years or older and have attempted or successfully climbed a peak over 6,000m, you can provide valuable information for our study, which is being run through the University of Washington. The survey will take 15 to 20 minutes to complete and does not require any personal information. Prior use of hypoxic training systems is not required to participate; however, eligible participants should have experience attempting to climb at least one peak over 6,000m.

Click https://uwashington.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6VBMTx46BKn5wSa to be directed to the survey. If the link does not work, please copy and paste the URL into your preferred web browser. Please remember to click on “submit” at the end of the survey to ensure that all answers are saved correctly.

If you have any questions prior to or after completion of the survey, feel free to contact us at aluks@uw.edu , Scott.McIntosh@hsc.utah.edu.., Colin.Grissom@imail.org.., or Cormac.Zachar@gmail.com... Please know that the confidentiality of our emails cannot be guaranteed. We appreciate your time and effort in completing this survey, and we look forward to reporting our findings upon completion.

Sincerely,

Andrew M. Luks, MD
Professor, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
University of Washington

Colin K. Grissom, MD
Senior Medical Director
Medical Specialties Clinical Program
Intermountain Health

Scott E. McIntosh, MD, MPH, FAWM, DiMM
Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine
Director, Wilderness Medicine Fellowship
University of Utah
Medical Director, Summit County EMS
Flight Physician and Associate Medical Director, AirMed

Cormac A. Zachar
BA, Dartmouth College
EMT, Aspen Valley Hospital and Mountain Rescue Aspen