Chinese military improves oxygen support system for plateau troops

A "20-kilometer oxygen supply zone" has been established for troops of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Xinjiang Military Command stationed at an altitude of 5,380 meters in the region, which helps significantly improve soldiers' access to oxygen, according to a report published by the PLA Daily on Monday.

The regiment under the Hotan Military sub-command of the PLA Xinjiang Military Command is stationed on the Karakoram Plateau at 5,000 meters above sea level, with the oxygen content less than 40 percent of that on the plain.

In recent years, to better support the soldiers stationed on the plateau, high altitude frontier defense posts have been equipped with oxygen production cabins, pressurized oxygen chambers, and portable oxygen cylinders or individual oxygen generators. 

A soldier shared with the PLA Daily that oxygen supply methods have been continuously upgraded over the years. He recounted hearing that when his squad leader first arrived at a defense post many years ago, oxygen supplies were scarce, and only soldiers in critical condition could use bottled oxygen. Today, his company benefits from a sufficient and easily accessible oxygen supply. 

He noted that in 2010, the fifth-generation barracks were already equipped with bedside oxygen systems. Soldiers could inhale oxygen for at least an hour daily during midday rest or after lights out, helping to increase oxygen levels in the bloodstream in a static environment.

In 2016, the unit introduced an oxygen-enriched indoor training facility. Built with an air-membrane structure, the facility was equipped with heating, humidifiers, and oxygen generators, providing functions such as oxygen enrichment, pressurization, temperature control, and humidification. 

Additionally, the oxygen-enriched indoor training facility featured fitness equipment such as treadmills and spin bikes, along with dedicated training areas, enabling soldiers to enhance their oxygen intake through exercise.

In 2020, an oxygen production cabins was established at the border defense company, allowing the simultaneous refilling of multiple high-concentration oxygen bottles. This eliminated the need for soldiers to travel over 100 kilometers to refill oxygen supplies, according to the PLA Daily report.

The oxygen therapy chamber, which set up in 2021, can seat eight plateau border guards at one time and enable them to breathe oxygen under normal atmospheric pressure or slightly higher pressure when entering into the chamber, which helps eliminate the adverse reaction because of hypoxia and low air pressure on plateau, and prevents mountain sickness.

"Compared with self-inhalation of oxygen, the chamber provides more controllable, targeted and scientific health care functions," Liu Wei, a military doctor, told the PLA Daily.

With better support for the oxygen demand of the plateau troops, the incidence of altitude sickness has significantly decreased, which has contributed to the promotion of the plateau troops' combat capabilities, the China Military Online reported on December 31.

According to the Health Bureau of the CMC Logistic Support Department, as next steps, they will extend the pilot installation and usage of newly developed equipment such as small oxygen generators and individual oxygen supply devices for use on plateaus, and continue to improve the oxygen production and supply support technology. With these efforts, the oxygen demand of the troops for war preparation and fighting will be better satisfied, the report said.