www.topout.co.uk

What Our Customers Say:

TOPOUT OXYGEN TESTIMONIALS
Dont believe us read it – and dont forget Topout is the only system with independent expert medical analysis, the British Doctors on Extreme Everest chose it.

• What Doctors Say
• What Professionals Say
• What Expeditions say

What Doctors Say –

‘My name is Rob Casserley, medical doctor and high altitude climber. I have summited Cho Oyu twice and Everest four times.

I have used supplemental oxygen on all occasions and have experience with both the Poisk mask (1st generation) and the Topout mask. Topout has revolutionised the way big mountains are climbed.

You don’t need to be a medical practitioner to know that oxygen deprivation is a major contributing factor to the reason why climbers fail to summit Everest, safely. Massive fatigue, frostbite, pulmonary & cerebral oedema are all problems caused by hypoxia (low oxygen levels) and so an efficient oxygen delivery device is an essential if this is your ‘one shot’ at Everest.

Topout has a working resevoir bag that allows you to inhale a higher concentration of oxygen for every breath, even at the same flow rate as other masks and there is no wastage of oxygen during expiration (breathing out) as the flow is directed into the resevoir bag. This makes it the best delivery device out there and the most oxygen efficient, meaning 2 things:

1. You can travel faster
2. Even at the same speed, you don’t use as much oxygen – allowing you to climb longer and use less oxygen

An additional benefit, is that it is smaller than the Poisk, which improves visibility no end and you don’t get that irritating thing that happens when the mask pushes up your goggles in to your eyes – that helps absolutely nobody!

Basically, Topout has made the mountain lower – it has made it more accessible – even to those who might have ordinarily struggled. It has enbled climbers to enjoy the experience and therefore retain the most amazing memories of what can only be described as a life-changing experience – to stand on the summit of the world…

Finally, Ted’s a great bloke, who’s really passionate about this project. He has developed the mask from start to finish and knows it inside out. I have no interest in writing such a positive statement – other than to help you improve your chances of making it to the summit.

Good luck,

Rob Casserley’

From Dr Andrew Sutherland of the successful Everestmax Expedition

Dear Ted,

I would be very happy for you to use my photo at Camp 3 in the
Geographical magazine.

I found the the Topout oxygen delivery system excellent.  At 7500m we
measured our oxygen saturations at rest and they were about 95% – almost
as high as at sea level.  On exertion between 7500m and 8000m my
saturations were 73% (on 2L/min oxygen).  This compared to 54% on air the
previous day. Unfortunately I could not compare it directly with a Poisk
mask as we didn’t have one up at that height.  I can say that I climbed
very well on oxygen and I am confident that this was helped by the Topout
system.

 At the summit I took my mask off to radio back to base camp.  During this
time the valve froze up but I was able to clear this easily.  Some
members of our group had more problems with their mask freezing up but
this was partly due to the fact that they didn’t know how to clear the
ice.

One thing I would have found useful is a table with direct comparison with
the Poisk system.  Most climbers use 2L/min with the Poisk system.  I used
2l/min with the Topout but I suspect I could have used less but I didn’t
want to take the risk!  I understand Jeremy Windsor may be doing a study
next year on the Extreme Everest expedition – I think this would provide
some very useful information.  The crucial data is how the different
systems help our oxygen saturations on exertion.

Best wishes,

Andrew

———————-

British Military Reservs;

“In 2007 I was fortunate enough to summit Mount Everest. I was in a team of 8 and every single one of us summited on the same day. It was notable that we all used the Topout system. In my opinion a large factor in our team’s success was due to the Topout system. I have used the old oxygen system in the past but have found Topout to be less cumbersome, with improved oxygen delivery and better line of vision due to the excellent mask design.
A good supply of oxygen not only helped us move faster but enables one to think more clearly which is crucial in decision making.
The Topout system not only allowed us to successfully summit but more importantly make it back down with our lives and digits intact.”

Dr Raj Joshi Army Expedition Doctor

---

TOPOUT OXYGEN TESTIMONIALS

What Professionals Say –

By Kenton Cool

“Top Out is with out doubt one the biggest improvements in the equipment I use on Everest and Cho Oyu. For me when I’m working I’m concerened about the clients and don’t need to have doubts about equipment. I have total faith in top out!!!”

“I use top out cos it f**king works”

For me its the best O2 mask available

Light years better than the rest

I have 5 Everest summits 4 of which have been done using Top Out. I am 100% sure that my success is at least partly down to this mask

Awesome

For a safer, faster, more enjoyable summit then I recommend Top Out everytime

For me as a 5 times Everest Guide I insist that my clients use top out masks.

KC

Dear Ted,

I asked Dave Hahn (7 time Everest summiter) for some feedback on the masks: His comments below.

Hi Eric, (Simonson IMG)

Regarding the Top-Out masks:  I think they were very much appreciated. 
We had some initial worries, as you remember, because there were rumors
that they were icing up and clogging, but it turned out that those
incidents were minor and easily fixed.  My feeling is that the freezing
valves and clogged ports fall under the category of “normal” work with
an O2 mask in cold conditions.  If a climber is brand new to using
oxygen and masks and regulators… and it is Everest summit day… they
may not be so good at keeping their mask operating correctly, same as
always.  But I didn’t have much trouble with mine.  If it had been off
my face for a few minutes, I knew I had to blow into it for twenty
seconds to get the valves working again.  I was a bit annoyed that in
descending steep terrain, the ambient air intake port seemed to
continually get blocked by my down suit collar, but apparently I could
have simply rotated the port (I didn’t want to break the thing by
messing with it blindly during my climb)  What seemed plain to me and to
most of our “clients” was that the reservoir idea was working pretty
well… that one could get pretty good bang for their buck at 2 or 3
liters per minute.  The mask itself feels about a thousand times better
on the face than either the Hornbein or the LSE, I was pleased to come
through without any nose bruises, or chin freezes or any of the other
unpleasant side effects of our other masks.  Nice not to have to wear
the velcro hoods, which never seem to fit all that well.  I didn’t like
the top-out masks for sleeping, though, too much uneven popping and
sputtering of valves.
    I’m hoping Ted makes a few minor improvements to the masks to keep
those valves and ports working well and that we keep buying them up so
that our sherpas can get the benefits also.
(Editors Note) – This is an uncut comment, we now have a nasal cannulae system for sleeping which is much prefered by many.
Best Regards,
Dave

—————————-

Neal Short Jagged Globe Everest guide

Overall you can mention that I think “the masks gave us an edge; and
made for a consistent and more crucially reliable supply”.

Cheers
Neal

—————————-

We got 12 of 16 up this year (among the team members), so that is 75%, which is better than we have done in the past.  It was good climbing this year—-good weather, good route condition, good support and preparation, good team—-and the new masks certainly helped!   Of the four that failed to summit, none was related to the masks.  Two went home early due to health issues, the third had diarrhea up on the South Col and just didn’t have the energy, and the last one somehow messed up his bottle change on the Balcony and for an inexplicable reason ran out of oxygen (I think he screwed on a half full bottle instead of a full one, by mistake).
I will pass on your comments to Dave, I am sure he will appreciate them.
Regards, 
Eric (Simonson)
————————
From Explorer and Motivational speaker Will Cross –
Ted
The mask was superb. I added about two hours to each cylinder using your design. Moved much more quickly than in the past and this seems true with the other climbers. Very comfortable. Highly recommended and thoroughly endorsed. Many thanks.
 Will Cross
www.willcrossmotivates.com
——————————-
hello ted

we send the money to your account and thanks for helping to get the
best mask on the market…

greetings kari
Der Burgfuher

---

TOPOUT OXYGEN TESTIMONIALS

What Expeditions Say – WE WERE PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED TO GET THIS MAIL

Hi Ted,

Just wanted to let you know, the ascent to the summit of Everest worked fine last year. Here is my testimony:
At the 20th of May 2007 I summited Mt. Everest at 0500 a.m.
Being a professional pilot, I have some experience with oxygen delivering systems. I chose TOPOUT because the system is easy to use and idiot-proof. The latter is very important, when betting your life on an oxygen system. With the TOPOUT mask attached to standard POISK cylinders, I was able to climb Mount Everest in less then 8 hours. This is remarkable, because allthough I was going as fast as I could, I was still fit on the TOP.
I highly recommend the TOPOUT-System, as it protected me just the way it was expected to do.
After summitting at 0500am, I was back on southcol at 0800. After 2 hours rest, I descended down to C2 and reached it at 0200pm.
Dirk Stephan

To whom it may concern:
When planning an expedition to climb a mountain like Everest many factors must be taken in account, if you want to succeed you must plan everything to the finest detail, you must source the best equipment, food and clothing available and then make the best use of these and the conditions on the mountain.
 While making our preparations last year we looked at all the oxygen systems available for our Everest expedition and after comprehensive investigations we decided on the TopOut masks in conjunction with the Piosk Cylinders and regulators.
At this stage little did we know the vast difference using this system would make, so after a shorter than normal acclimatisation period we got our opportunity to make a summit attempt and on the 14th May 2006 five climbers left the North Col and three days later we all reached the summit at 06.40 am on 17th May, we passed everyone on the way to the summit, we were much faster, fitter, healthier and safer than all other climbers on the route.
Our speed I simply put down to the fantastic mask that Ted Atkins has developed, we had a similar level of fitness at the start as other climbers, our acclimatisation was similar to others, but our Oxygen masks were simply miles ahead.
I would highly recommend the TOPOUT mask to anyone who wants the best system currently available.
Best Regards
Neill Elliott
The Everest2006 Expedition.
Please feel free to use me as a reference.
———-

ExWeb: In case of supplementary O2 support – which brand are you using?

We are using Poisk bottles, with Ted Atkins’ Top-out oxygen masks – they were used to great success by Jagged Globe last year. We looked at the SummitOxygen system, but decided it needs to be battle-tested and that it has not performed well in the past, so we weren’t going to be test pilots this year.

Neill Elliot, Leader of Anglo Irish Team

I am sure you already know, but the 5 of us who left the North Col all
summited! 100% success, thanks to Topout.

Talk when I get home.

Best Regards

Neill

———-

Everestmax Team

Just to let you know that the EVERESTMAX team have
achieved ‘The Longest Climb on Earth’, and had 7
Everest Summitteers, which is a fantastic achievement.
 Please see the attached Press Release for more
details.

I understand that your masks were very reliable and I
am in no doubt that they directly contributed to us
getting a magnificent seven!!!

Regards,

John Parfitt
EVERESTMAX UK Support Team

———-
Hi Ted

Yes, only 2 of the 3:  Rene unfortunately got some frostbite and couldn’t get rid of the Khumbu cough. Hie toe was quite nasty and he correctly decided to return home about 3 weeks ago.   Sean and Vaughan’s summit completes their 7 Summits too!   all very marvelous.
 
———-

Adrian Hayes with Himalayan Guides –

100 mtrs or so below the S summit, the effect of it was amazing – Tindu apparently radioing down to Henry that he couldnt keep up with me! Thats an ultimate complement!
 
All the best,

Adrian
Adrian HAYES

———-

Hi Ted,

 My TOPOUT Mask kit arrived yesterday and it looks great.
 I must compliment you on the prompt delivery and the use of the “Really Useful Box” for packaging. 
 We will be very pleased to work with the Canadian TV company that is interested in covering teams planning to use TOPOUT masks.
 I will contact Karine Dubois and encourage her to contact us.
 I am off to Russia for a couple of weeks tomorrow, but I will stay in touch.
Thanks!
WB
———-
Oxygen
We will be using a lightweight Russian oxygen system exclusively throughout the expedition, manufactured by Poisk. The Poisk system is without doubt the best oxygen system currently available for mountaineering, as it has a proven track record. A new system is available, but this has not been used sufficiently to show its effectiveness. Anecdotal evidence would suggest that the new system still suffers from teething problems and that its reliability is not yet proven to be as good as Poisk. We don’t believe that Everest is the place to test a system, and will continue to use Poisk for the foreseeable future. Combined with Poisk, we will be using TopOut masks, which our 2005 teams described as a “major improvement” over the much more cumbersome Poisk masks. The TopOut masks were also felt to be more efficient at delivering oxygen, as well as providing better visibility.
Jagged Globe Web

———-

On 13/10/06, Paul Adler wrote:
I have attached some photos of us with your masks.  Let me know if you want any others or want higher res versions.  I have had a few questions from people asking about how we found the mask and people are interested to see it in profile to understand how much it blocks the view of your feet.  I tried to see if we had any pictures of it side on, but we didn’t.  (We didn’t notice it impeding the view of our feet at all.)
 
I wear glasses and had absolutely no problems with them fogging up at all.
 
Regards,
Paul. (Adler)
———-
British Army: –
100% summit success with Topout on Cho Oyu Regards ————— (6 man team)
2006 season
———-
Message: Dear Ted, we met briefly this year at Everest Base Camp. I (along with a colleague, Russ Lamb) was with the IMG group being led by Mark Tucker. You came to our camp a couple of times, gave us a talk and helped with the fitting of our Top Out masks. Both Russ and I were fortunate enough to reach the summit of Everest on 20th May, using the Top Out system, and we were very grateful that the system worked so well.
———-
Hello Ted,
Steve Giesecke here. We met at EBC this Spring and I used your mask to the summit. It worked as advertised; I hesitate to say my “summit push” was easy; but I fortunately had no issues and was gratefully able to virtually cruise to the top of the world without incident. Your mask was instrumental to my success and, as you suggested, in every presentation I give (I present a picture of you holding your mask) I “show and tell” your mask. As just one example, some fifth-graders I recently talked to, while dressed in full climbing ensemble (until it became unbearably hot and I had to remove my suit), thought your mask was “really cool.”
So, just wanted to say “thanks from the heart, and also from my lungs” … wishing you all the best for the holidays and next year.
Steve.
Editors note – Good on you Steve for the work with the young people. Having a mask as a prop, something people can touch is a great idea. I often get requests for masks for this purpose when ‘Everesteers’ get back. Far better to have your own mask that you wore on the summit.

The Everest2006 Expedition

By Neill Elliott

When planning an expedition to climb a mountain like Everest many factors must be taken in account, if you want to succeed you must plan everything to the finest detail, you must source the best equipment, food and clothing available and then make the best use of these and the conditions on the mountain.

 While making our preparations last year we looked at all the oxygen systems available for our Everest expedition and after comprehensive investigations we decided on the TopOut masks in conjunction with the Piosk Cylinders and regulators.

At this stage little did we know the vast difference using this system would make, so after a shorter than normal acclimatisation period we got our opportunity to make a summit attempt and on the 14th May 2006 five climbers left the North Col and three days later we all reached the summit at 06.40 am on 17th May, we passed everyone on the way to the summit, we were much faster, fitter, healthier and safer than all other climbers on the route.

Our speed I simply put down to the fantastic mask that Ted Atkins has developed, we had a similar level of fitness at the start as other climbers, our acclimatisation was similar to others, but our Oxygen masks were simply miles ahead.

I would highly recommend the TOPOUT mask to anyone who wants the best system currently available.

Jagged Globe

The climbers who used the new masks yesterday described them as a “major improvement” over the Poisk masks. Both Tore and Fred climbed from 7,000m to 7,700m on a flow rate of 2 litres per minute in just 4 and a half hours. That’s pretty good going for that kind of altitude and they said that the masks were comfortable, with no problems.
Interestingly, the guys who went to 7,700m did so on oxygen. More news on that to follow, but as the Jagged Globe team has lots of oxygen (approximately 6 × 3L bottles + 3 × 4L bottles per member) and newly designed masks, which are more comfortable and should deliver the oxygen more effeciently (compare the two photos), one tactic may be to climb on oxygen all the way from the North Col.

N.B. Jagged Globe teams on both the South and North sides of Everest are using brand new masks, designed by Ted Atkins and based on a Tornado fighter pilot mask.

---

Jagged Globe News

Good things come to those who wait…

As the first flakes of monsoon snow begin to fall on Mount Everest, both our South Col and North Ridge teams are back in Kathmandu, where they will celebrate their climbs with a party tonight at the Summit Hotel.

Spring will be remembered as one of the worst weather years in memory on Everest. Our South Col team had completed their acclimatisation by 28 April, with a night sleeping at 7,300m. On the same day on the other side of the mountain, members from our North Ridge team reached 7,700m whilst testing our new oxygen masks. They had climbed from the North Col at 7,000m to 7,700m on a flow rate of 2 litres per minute in just 4 and a half hours. We were beginning to feel very positive as the reports came through that team members were feeling strong, the sherpa team were starting to stock the top camps and the weather was still okay.

When we had a call from David the following day, we expected it to come from Advance Base Camp, it was from the top camp at 8,400m! Team member, Tore Rasmussen joked over the Satellite phone “We are having a jolly good time here, brewing up, talking and enjoying ourselves.” The other half of the group had moved to what was left of camp 3. Over the next two days, in clear conditions, with very little wind, the team’s patience finally paid off and 8 out of the 11 original members summited. They did so quickly, with both groups topping out by 7.30am. On his descent, Ian Parnell commented that they had so much oxygen in the top camp, they were able to descend on a flow rate of 3 litres per minute.

So that’s another Everest season over. These were the 9th and 10th Everest expeditions that Jagged Globe has organised and the 8th and 9th that have put members on the summit, making us the most experienced and successful British company on either side of the mountain. This year, a total of 12 out of a possible 17 members (leaders and climbers) topped out, despite the bad weather. This outstanding result is a testament to each team’s patience, commitment and hard work, as well as just a little luck!

We continue to run our expeditions with a clear ethos – to make sure that team members are well prepared and to make our expeditions as well resourced as any on the mountain. Crucially, that means the very best oxygen system and lots of it to spare, a high level of Sherpa support, the best equipment and expert leadership. On Everest, that’s what counts.

---