We repeatedly ask: “Can you hear your heartbeat in your head?” If yes — we are there. If no — we are not.

Physiologically this is a sensation that almost everyone has experienced and easily recognizes. It means the body is sending enough blood to the head that the eardrum throbs. This is the actual threshold we use.

Once the answer becomes yes, we repeatedly pulse oxygen for 2–5 seconds being careful not to allow the pulse rate to decrease. This technique produces the desired effects in about everyone. Pulsing oxygen at lesser levels (no heartbeat sensation) works but does not produce extraordinary results we documented in the validation tab.

Our experience so far is based on the heartbeat in the head is the single criteria for success with the usage guide because that single observable determines whether there is sufficient arterial pressure to push through congestion in the brain’s vascular network and whether the pulses of oxygen tend to open things up.

The brief oxygen pulses, 3–5 seconds, do not allow the body enough recovery to discontinue the blood flow. It is usually a challenge to establish the blood flow pattern. The pulses are short enough to prevent recovery that allows the body to discontinue the flow pattern. The timing is designed to deliver oxygen and also keep the circuit active.

Shy of the heartbeat in the head, the usage method still works — but gains in mental function are consistent with Ardenne’s lesser published results of 5–15%.

Cipolla scientifically supports the concept that mammals compensate for hypoxic athletic challenge by squirting more blood to the brain.

From the usage method point of view — the Cipolla reference is scientifically supportive but technically impractical in that it does not provide an observable marker indicating achievement of the blood flow threshold. The 400% seems and feels consistent in our experience and with the results.

As for the desaturation levels. I think the exertion and hypoxia work together and are somewhat interchangeable — but it takes a lot more exertion to reach the level at sea level.

Not everyone hears their heartbeat. I say that in the usage guide description because some people do and I want to reinforce the use of “safe” exercise equipment.

For me the transition is really a challenge experience where I feel a stern, but not distressed urge to back off my pace for recovery. I’m able to continue because while it’s uncomfortable, it’s like climbing a hill on a bike. As long as I don’t increase my pace — I can hold it.

Shortly after this urge I begin to hear my pulse in my head. When this happens I hold pace for about 30 seconds, switch to oxygen for 2–5 breaths, and switch back to the higher pace.

This minimal recovery keeps me close to the zone. Minimal recovery limits the effort and discomfort it takes to ramp to this point.

I just don’t want to work this hard again — I’d rather not recover very much so I don’t have to ramp as far to the next interval.

After I get stronger — it tends to take more time on -O2 to reach this level.

I generally never experience “euphoria”. My exit feeling is clear — Like I had a great workout. My vision is good and I feel very calm for the remains of the day.

Power Exert corresponds to a physical exertion, like a sprint. As with all exercise restrain yourself to exertion levels appropriate to your conditioning Exercising harder than your body will allow can result in injury.

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