Why do mountain climers sometimes bring oxygen tanks along with them on their climb?

Ascend elevation, air pressure decreases, resulting in a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen in the air. This reduced oxygen availability, known as hypoxia, can lead to a variety of negative effects on the human body, including:

- Altitude Sickness: This is a collection of symptoms that can occur when someone ascends to a higher elevation too quickly, including headaches, nausea, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.

- High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): This is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when fluid accumulates in the brain, causing increased intracranial pressure. Symptoms include severe headaches, confusion, ataxia, and loss of consciousness.

- High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): This is a life-threatening condition that occurs when fluid accumulates in the lungs, causing shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.

- Death: In extreme cases, hypoxia can lead to death.

To mitigate these effects, mountain climbers sometimes bring oxygen tanks along with them on their climbs. These tanks provide supplemental oxygen, which can help to alleviate the symptoms of hypoxia and improve performance at high altitudes.

Oxygen tanks are typically used by climbers above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet), where the air is thin and the risk of hypoxia is greatest. Climbers may use oxygen tanks for short periods of time, such as during difficult sections of the climb, or for longer periods of time, such as during rest stops or at night.

The use of oxygen tanks on climbs can be controversial. Some climbers believe that it is cheating and that it takes away from the challenge of climbing. Others believe that oxygen tanks are a safe and necessary tool that can help to prevent serious illness and death.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use oxygen tanks on a climb is a personal one. Climbers should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of using oxygen before deciding whether or not to bring tanks with them.