Aeromedical Factors E01

Standard Area I, Task D Symptoms, causes, effects, and corrective action of at least three (3) of the following— hypoxia. hyperventilation. middle ear and sinus problems. Spatial disorientation. Motion sickness. Carbon monoxide poisoning (self-launch). Stress and fatigue. Dehydration and heatstroke. Effects of alcohol and drugs, including over-the-counterdrugs. Effects of evolved gas from scuba diving on a pilot during flight

Index Stress and Fatigue Dehydration/Heat Cold Hypoxia Hyperventilation Carbon Monoxide Inner Ear Effects Aerobatic Flight SCUBA

Fatigue and Stress Solution Causes Effects

Fatigue Solution: Rest and Stress Management Causes of Fatigue: Inadequate sleep Poor nutrition or hydration, poor health Prolonged stress Mental or physical Causes of Stress: Physical and Mental Tiredness may not reflect Fatigue Can feel wide awake while suffering from fatigue

Effects of Fatigue Easily distracted Reduction/Impairment of: Fixated Mood swings Poor judgment Indecisiveness Reduction/Impairment of: Cognitive functions Decision making Reaction time Coordination Speed Balance Focus Attention

Dehydration/Heat Stroke Causes Symptoms Prevention

Dehydration/Heat Stroke Causes Flying increases heat and water loss Hot cockpit Direct exposure to sun Dry air at altitude dehydrates body 150 lb person: 1% of body’s water = ~16 oz Dehydration: Loss of water. Loss of: 2% impacts body’s ability to regulate heat. 3% decreases muscle cell contraction times. 4% results in a 5 to 10 percent drop in overall performance, which can last up to four hours.

Symptoms Heat stress (99.5° to 100° F body temp) reduces: Performance, dexterity and coordination Ability to make quick decisions Alertness Visual capabilities Caution and caring 2.   Heat exhaustion (101° to 105° F ): Fatigue , Nausea/vomiting, Giddiness, Cramps, Rapid breathing, Fainting  3.   Heat stroke (above-105° F body temperature) symptoms: Mental confusion, Disorientation, Bizarre behavior, Coma Earliest effects include poor judgment critical to flight safety

Preventing Dehydration Pre-hydrate Urine should be of light color Avoid caffeinated/carbonated beverages reduce thirst and fluid intakes Always carry water Thirst sensation not a reliable indicator Drink before you feel thirsty Use vents, hats, and light colored clothing.

Frostbite Is Possible! Cold Field temps ≠ Temps @Altitude Special concern for wave flying Plan accordingly Layered clothing Body parts in sun may be warm while shaded parts (like feet) become very cold Frostbite Is Possible!

Hypoxia Cause: Altitude Effects of hypoxia increased by: Percent of O2 constant, but pressure drops Effects of hypoxia increased by: Medical conditions Drugs Smoking General fitness Vision effects (especially night vision) as low as 5000 feet MSL >10,000 O2 recommended

Hypoxia Effects 12-15,000 feet MSL >12,500-14,000 feet MSL Euphoria Judgment Memory Alertness Coordination Ability to perform calculations Drowsiness Dizziness Belligerence Headache >12,500-14,000 Crew members after 30 minutes >14,000 Crew members >15,000 Everyone >16,000 feet MSL Gray-out Tunnel vision Blue fingers/lips Unconsciousness

Hypoxia Symptoms are individual specific: Chamber training recommended Supplemental O2 Required by 91.211 >12,500-14,000 Crew members after 30 minutes >14,000 Crew members >15,000 Everyone

Hyperventilation Rapid breathing  low levels of CO2 Caused by: Low CO2 tricks body into believing it is not getting enough air Faster breathing Caused by: Feeling very anxious or having a panic attack Severe pain Stress High altitude, knowing the O2 pressure is low, pilots may have a tendency to breath rapidly

Hyperventilation Symptoms: (1) Rapid Breathing Chest pain Confusion Dizziness Dry mouth Light-headedness Muscle spasms in the hands and feet Numbness and tingling in the arms or around the mouth Palpitations Shortness of breath Weakness

Hyperventilation Slow breathing: Breathe through pursed lips (as if you are blowing out a candle) Cover your mouth and one nostril, and breathe through the other nostril. Speak or sing to slow breathing

Carbon Monoxide CO is colorless, odorless and tasteless But the only source is exhaust gases Interferes with blood carrying O2 Symptoms: Initial : Headache Dizziness Nausea Eventually: Confusion and drowsiness. Fast breathing, fast heartbeat, or chest pain. Vision problems Muscle twitch Unconsciousness and eventually death

Carbon Monoxide Prevention: Solution: Maintenance of a/c exhaust system CO detectors Solution: Stop exposure Turn off heater Fresh air O2

Inner Ear Effects Pressure Effects Middle ear is a closed chamber Normally simple jaw movements open inner ear Effect of Congestion Valhalla maneuver Avoid drugs

Inner Ear Detecting Motion Detects change in motion After ~20 sec , sensation of motion fades Stopping feels like acceleration in the opposite direction

Spatial Disorientation Usually occurs with loss of external references, especially horizon Literally cannot tell where up or down is Inner ear gives false impressions Likely scenarios: Scud running resulting in VFR into IMC Inattentive wave pilot getting caught on top of a solid cloud layer

Classic Graveyard Spiral

Motion Sickness >25% of airline pilots have experienced motion sickness Affected students often, after a few lessons, become accustomed to the sensations Minimizing: Eat smart before flight Keep the vents open Avoid sudden head movements Focus outside aircraft

Aerobatic Flight Push-over Maneuvers High G Maneuvers Headache “Red-Out” Unconsciousness High G Maneuvers Tunnel vision “Gray Outs”

SCUBA Diving and Flying Up to 8,000 MSL: No decompression: Wait 12 hours before flying Decompression stops: 24 hours before flying >8,000 feet MSL: Wait 24 hours (best rule)

Alcohol and Drugs Alcohol is a depressant which causes impaired judgment Legal limit: 0.04 % + 8 hours bottle to throttle OTC drugs like antihistamine cause drowsiness and impaired judgment

CFI Standard Area II Task A AEROMEDICAL FACTORS Objective. To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of the elements related to aeromedical factors by describing: Hypoxia ,its symptoms, effects, and corrective action. Hyper ventilation, its symptoms, effects, and corrective action. Middle ear and sinus problems, their causes, effects, and corrective action. Spatial disorientation, its causes, effects, and corrective action. Motion sickness, its causes, effects, and corrective action. Effects of alcohol and drugs, and their relationship to safety. Effects of dehydration and their relationship to flight safety. Carbon monoxide poisoning, its symptoms, effects and corrective action (self-launch). How evolved gas from scuba diving can effect a pilot during flight. Fatigue, its effects and corrective action.