Oxygen cabin boosts earthquake rescue efforts in Xizang

An oxygen supply cabin designed for high-altitude areas has recently been used to relieve discomfort caused by hypoxia in the quake-affected areas of Dingri county of the Xizang autonomous region, China National Radio reported.

Jointly created by the Xizang branch of China Railway Construction Heavy Industry and the Xizang branch of China Anneng Construction Group, the oxygen supply cabin has greatly improved the working conditions for seismic rescue personnel in high-altitude environments and provided much-needed medical assistance spaces for disaster-affected people.

After the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Dingri one week ago, rescue teams from across the country rushed to the disaster area. The urgency left no time for the seismic rescue team members to adapt to the environment. As a result, some members have experienced altitude sickness.

The cabin can accommodate more than 10 rescue team members at a time.

Li Ruichao, a rescue command staff member interviewed by China National Radio, said he experienced chest tightness, dizziness and other discomforts after arriving in Zingkar village of Dingri. He underwent oxygen therapy in the oxygen supply cabin.

Generally, after staying here for half an hour, one can revive and resume the seismic rescue command tasks, said Li.

Mao Shuai, the communication commander responsible for on-site equipment testing for China Aneng emergency rescue, said that the cabin increases the oxygen content in the human blood and alleviates symptoms of hypoxia. It also promotes metabolism and accelerates fatigue recovery.

The oxygen supply cabin of the high-altitude stations draws on the advanced operating principles of aircraft cabins. Scientific adjustments to internal air pressure and oxygen partial pressure and an efficient oxygen supply system to simulate the air pressure and oxygen content in low-altitude areas can effectively alleviate the discomfort caused by altitude sickness.