1. Physiological Threats
Dehydration

2. How do you build situational awareness?
Aviate
Navigate
Communicate
4. Physiate
Noise
Hypoxia
Stress
Spatial D
Airsickness
Situational Awareness
G-LOC
Nutrition
Fatigue
Bad ALSS
Barotraumas
Hydration

3. Conflict with co-worker
Physiological threats can compound creating a serious safety of flight issue.
Circadian disruption
Avoidable?
Pre-flight temp = 100º
Avoidable?
High OPTEMPO
Avoidable?
Conflict with co-worker
Avoidable?
Haven’t eaten for 8 hrs
Avoidable?
MANAGEABLE?

4. Dehydration Can Happen in Cold and Hot Weather

5. Dehydration can negatively affect mental and physical performance.
Increase reaction time
Narrowed attention
Task fixation
30% reduction in +Gz tolerance
Decreased situational awareness

6. How do I recognize that I am dehydrated?
2-3% body wt loss (24hr)
Thirst
Elevated heart rate
Light headed upon standing
Headache
Dark urine
Dry mouth
Nausea
General fatigue
Reduced SA?
Dehydration definitely affects physical performance. A 3% body weight loss due to dehydration can cause a reduction in cardiovascular endurance, a reduction in muscular endurance, reductions in muscular strength and a reduction in muscular power. The impact is greater with increased levels of dehydration. Dehydration can also cause a 30% reduction in Gz tolerance. Even small amounts of dehydration put you at a greater risk of a heat injury. A good rule of thumb for hydration prior to physical activity is to drink until you urinate clear before starting. This is especially true prior to exercise in the heat.
Thirst is generally a good indicator of hydration status, unless you are exercising vigorously or are exposed to a challenging thermal environment. In a hot environment you must drink proactively because under these conditions thirst lags behind hydration status. Because dehydration can affect your Gz tolerance and performance, you should treat a flight like an exercise session and ensure that you are well hydrated prior to flight. You should also consider options for in flight hydration. What are your options for in flight hydration? What can you carry? After a particularly challenging flight, you should rehydrate quickly, just as you would after a hard workout. Sports drinks are a good choice. So is water. If all you have is Coke, it is better than nothing. It is not true that you lose more water than you gain when you drink soft drinks. You can hydrate effectively with most water based beverages. Those with high sugar content will take longer to process and caffeinated beverages will result in a small amount of water. Neither issue is particularly significant and shouldn’t prevent you from drinking these beverages to rehydrate if they are all you have access to.

7. Don’t avoid caffeinated or sugar based drinks without replacing them with other fluids.
You can hydrate effectively with most water based beverages
high sugar content
caffeinated beverages
Eating is hydrating
30% of your daily hydration comes from food
High fat and high sodium food can dehydrate

8. What are some dehydration countermeasures?
Drink fluids before you are thirsty
Drink fluids before and after exercise
Drink fluids until your urine is clear
Eat food high in water content
Avoid high fat and high sodium food
Avoid alcohol
Dehydration definitely affects physical performance. A 3% body weight loss due to dehydration can cause a reduction in cardiovascular endurance, a reduction in muscular endurance, reductions in muscular strength and a reduction in muscular power. The impact is greater with increased levels of dehydration. Dehydration can also cause a 30% reduction in Gz tolerance. Even small amounts of dehydration put you at a greater risk of a heat injury. A good rule of thumb for hydration prior to physical activity is to drink until you urinate clear before starting. This is especially true prior to exercise in the heat.
Thirst is generally a good indicator of hydration status, unless you are exercising vigorously or are exposed to a challenging thermal environment. In a hot environment you must drink proactively because under these conditions thirst lags behind hydration status. Because dehydration can affect your Gz tolerance and performance, you should treat a flight like an exercise session and ensure that you are well hydrated prior to flight. You should also consider options for in flight hydration. What are your options for in flight hydration? What can you carry? After a particularly challenging flight, you should rehydrate quickly, just as you would after a hard workout. Sports drinks are a good choice. So is water. If all you have is Coke, it is better than nothing. It is not true that you lose more water than you gain when you drink soft drinks. You can hydrate effectively with most water based beverages. Those with high sugar content will take longer to process and caffeinated beverages will result in a small amount of water. Neither issue is particularly significant and shouldn’t prevent you from drinking these beverages to rehydrate if they are all you have access to.

9. Your Aeromedical Safety Officer
Located at Wing Safety Office
Aviation Life Support Systems
Ejection seat briefs
PHYSEP and HAZREP submission
Custom hearing protection
Airsickness desensitization
Physiological threat briefs
Egress
Command Fitness Leader

10. LT Tim Welsh Wing Safety Office x3997