Objective      To design and develop a portable plateau pressurized helmet based on the principle of pressurization

and to determine its effect on prevention and treatment of acute high altitude diseases. Methods      The portable plateau pressurized helmet contained high pressure pump

pressure sensor

head cover

collar

safety valve

breathing nozzle and feedback loop etc. The pressure in the head

cover could be increased by electric or manual. At the same time

it could ensure that the pressure was kept in the preset range by using the pressure sensor

safety valve and feedback loop control measures. In the simulated hypoxic environment (3 500 and 5 000 m)

the changes of percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO

2

) and heart rate (HR) were measured by using helmet (the pressure range in the head cover was 0.4～1.0

0.4～1.4 and 0.4～1.6 kPa) of the healthy young male volunteers. And further

at the high altitude (3 650 m)

selection of acute mountain sickness patients were randomly divided into control group and intervention group. The effect of SpO

2

and HR and symptom score were observed in the acute mountain sickness patients by using the helmet (the pressure range in the head cover was 0.4～1.4 kPa). Results      In the simulated hypoxic environment of 3 500 and 5 000 m

the helmet increased the level of SpO

2

and decreased HR obviously. At the high altitude

the helmet increased the level of SpO

2

and decreased HR significantly (P0.05)

and the symptom scores of the acute mountain sickness patients was decreased significantly (P0.05)

both when compared with the control group. Conclusion      The portable plateau pressurized helmet

easy to carry and use

can increase the level of SpO

2

and decrease HR significantly

and is suitable to improve high altitude hypoxia

prevent and treat acute high altitude disease.