What are the four stages of hypoxia?

The four stages of hypoxia are identified as Indifferent, Compensatory, Disturbance, and Critical. In the Indifferent stage, an individual may not experience any noticeable symptoms of hypoxia, and performance may remain unaffected. As the condition progresses to the Compensatory stage, the body begins to adapt to the lack of oxygen, leading to physiological changes such as increased heart rate and breathing rate. When the Disturbance stage is reached, more significant symptoms emerge, including loss of coordination, impaired judgment, and decreased performance. Finally, in the Critical stage, the individual may experience severe symptoms that can lead to unconsciousness and potentially life-threatening conditions.

This progression illustrates how hypoxia becomes increasingly serious with altitude and duration, emphasizing the body's ability to initially compensate but also highlighting the eventual detrimental effects if hypoxia is not mitigated.