The answer to this question isn’t just one line answer. According to the Respiratory Protection standard, for a healthy person with no respiratory or asthmatic issue, an oxygen level below 19.5 % is oxygen-deficient and is life-threatening. The minimum air that you can breathe for survival is 19.5 % oxygen.
Oxygen level 16%-19.5%
If you are breathing in the air having 16 to 19.5 per cent of oxygen, even a small exertion symptomatic because tissues get less oxygen to work properly. In an oxygen-deficient environment, accelerated heartbeat increased breathing rates, and impaired thinking or coordination occur more quickly.
Oxygen level 12%-16 %
Person living in oxygen level 12-16%, even at rest expirence following
- Tachycardia (accelerated heartbeat)
- Tachypnea (increased breathing rates)
- Impaired attention, thinking, and coordination
Oxygen level 10% -14 %
When oxygen level drops to 10-14%, individual might face following
- Intermittent respiration
- Faulty judgment
- Exhaustion can be expected even with minimal exertion
Oxygen level 6%-10%
When the oxygen level keeps getting low, there comes a stage when a person responds to stimulus decreases. When the air has 6-10% of oxygen, following signs and symptoms are shown
- Nausea
- Lethargic movements
- Unconsciousness
- Vomiting
Oxygen level less than 6%
The occurring of symptoms at 6% of the oxygen is immediate. One appears after the other. Even if a person survives hypoxic insult, the damage done to the organs is irreversible.
- Convulsions
- Apnea (cessation of breathing)
- cardiac standstill
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