Question

Why do mountaineers carry oxygen cylinders while going to high mountain peaks?

Answer 1

Hint: With the increase in the height, atmospheric pressure also decreases. The amount of air decreases as we climb high on the mountain. This decrease in the amount of oxygen can cause issues like shortness of breath.

Complete Step by Step answer:
Mountaineers carry oxygen cylinders while going to high mountain peaks because altitude increases as they climb the mountain. The amount of oxygen decreases as the altitude increases. The reason for the decrease in the amount of oxygen gas is because trees are not found in high altitudes. Therefore some parts of their body do not get sufficient supply of oxygen gas. Problems like dizziness and hypoxia may also happen.

Oxygen is stored in small, portable cylinders and this stored oxygen is used at the time of high altitude climbing. Oxygen cylinders can also be used for scuba diving or breathing gas. Oxygen cylinders can also be used during surgery. The altitude which is also called the death zone altitude is twenty six thousand feet and above. Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans used a closed circuit oxygen cylinder for the first time in 1953. Many used and empty oxygen cylinders can be found on Mount Everest as waste items.

Therefore mountaineers carry oxygen cylinders while climbing any high mountain peaks to avoid issues like dizziness and hypoxia.

Note: Hypoxia is a condition in which tissues in some body parts do not get sufficient supply of oxygen. The issue of hypoxia happens when blood stops carrying enough oxygen to tissues to fulfil the needs of the body.