Hey everyone! This is some of my study material/lesson plan notes that I have composed. These are on Aeromedical Factors. Not extremely detailed or in-depth, but lots of good info I think! Let me know what you all think!
The formatting is all jacked up so in the real file its a lot easier to read, but you get the idea
Anyone know any sites that I can upload my document to and then post a link on here?
Aeromedical Factors
Hypoxia - An insufficient amount of oxygen in the body?s blood.
Highest concern is getting enough oxygen to the brain
4 Types
Hypoxic - An insufficient oxygen amount to the body as a whole
Causes...
High Altitudes
Hypemic - A result of oxygen deficiency in the blood
Causes...
CO poisoning
Reduced blood volume
Anemia
Hemoglobin is unable to transport the oxygen
Stagnant - A result of the oxygen having the inability to flow properly throughout the body
Causes...
Excessive G forces during flight
Shock
Heart failure
Histotoxic - The inability of the cells to effectively use oxygen.
Causes...
Drugs
Alcohol
Symptoms of Hypoxia
Cyanosis (blue fingernails or lips)
Headaches
Decreased reaction time
Impaired Judgement
Euphoria (enlightened sense of well being)
Visual impairment
Drowsiness
Lightheaded
Numbness
Tingling if fingers and toes
Treatment of Hypoxia
Supplemental Oxygen
Descend to a lower altitude ASAP
Time of Useful Consciousness - A term which describes the maximum time the pilot has to make rational, life-saving decisions and carry them out at a given altitude without supplemental oxygen
Altitude in Flight level Time of Useful Consciousness Altitude in meters Altitude in feet
FL 150 30 min or more 4,572 m 15,000
FL 180 20 to 30 min 5,486 m 18,000
FL 220 5-10 min 6,705 m 22,000
FL 250 3 to 6 min 7,620 m 25,000
FL 280 2.5 to 3 mins 8,534 m 28,000
FL 300 1 to 3 mins 9,144 m 30,000
FL 350 30 sec to 60 sec 10,668 m 35,000
FL 400 15 to 20 sec 12,192 m 40,000
FL 430 9 to 15 sec 13,106 m 43,000
FL 500 and above 6 to 9 sec 15,240 m 50,000
Hyperventilation - The excessive rate and depth of respirartion leading to abnormal loss of carbon dioxide form the blood.
May lead to unconsciousness
Body will reset itself after regaining counsciousness
Symptoms of Hyperventilation
Visual Impairment
Unsconsciousness
Lightheaded or dizzy sensation
Tingling sensations
Hot and cold sensations
Muscle spasms
Treatment of Hyperventilation
Involves restoring the proper carbon dioxide level in the body
Slow the breathing rate
Breathe into a paperbag
Middle Ear and Sinus Problems
During climbs and descends, trapped gasses in body cavities expands and contracts due to a difference in pressure of the outside air and the air inside the body.
This expanding air may cause pain in areas such as...
Ears
Sinus cavitites
To relieve this pain, close mouth and pinch the nostrils shut and blow slightly in the mouth and nose
Spatial Disorientation - lack of orientation with regard to position, attitude or movement of the airplane in space
Body uses 3 systems which work together to ascertain orientation
Vestibular - inner ear
Somatosensory - nerves in skin, sense of position based on gravity
Visual - eyes
When one or more of these senses do not agree with each other, a person may experience spacial disorientation.
Trust Your Instruments!!!
Upsloping Runway - An upsloping runway can create the illusion that the aircraft is higher than it actually is, leading to a lower approach.
Dowsloping Runway - A downsloping runway can create the illusion that the aircraft is lower than it actually is, leading to a higher approach.
Narrower Runway - A narrower-than-usual runway can create the illusion that the aircraft is higher than it actually is, leading to a lower approach.
Wider Runway - A wider-than-usual runway can create the illusion that the aircraft is lower than it actually is, leading to a higher approach.
To combat these illusions, reference a VASI or PAPI whenever available.
Motion Sickness - (air sickness) occurs when the brain receives conflicting messages about the state of the body
Symptoms
General discomfort
Nausea
Dizziness
Paleness
Sweating
Vomitting
Remedies
Open fresh air vents
Avoid excessive head movements
Focus on objects outside of the airplane
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
CO is a colorless and odorless gas produced by internal combustion engines
CO prevents the hemoglobin in the blood from carrying oxygen cells, resulting in hypemic hypoxia
Causes of CO Poisoning
Smoking
CO entering the cabin through heat vents. In most small aircraft, cabin heat is produced by directing airflow over exhaust shrouds form the engine and then routed into the cabin. If the exhaust were to have a crack or leak, CO may enter the cabin causing CO poisoning
Treatment
Open fresh air vents
Shut the heater off
Use of supplemental oxygen
Fatigue - influences the ability to make effective decisions
May cause degradation of attention and concentration, impaired coordination, and decreased ability to communication
2 types
Acute - short term and generally normal in occurrence
Chronic - long term and may need medical help
Dehydration - Critical Loss of water in the body
Causes
Excessive Heat
Certain beverages such as coffee and caffeinated drinks
Alcohol
Humidity
Wind
Signs
Headache
Fatigue - Usually first noticeable
Cramps
Sleepiness
Diziness
Heatstroke - Inability of the body to control its temperature
Similar symptoms of Dehydration
Alcohol - Drastically impairs the efficiency of the human body
Alcohol impairs a person to make time-critical decisions.
8 hours Bottle to throttle - No alcohol consumption within 8 hours of flight
Limit of B.A.C. is .04% as per 14 CFR part 91.17
During a hangover a pilot is still under the influence of alcohol
Scuba Diving
Subjects the body to increased pressure, which allows more nitrogen to dissolve into body tissue and fluids
Decompression Sickness - a condition characterized by a variety of symptoms resulting from exposure to low barometric pressure that causes inert gases (mainly nitrogen), normally dissolved in body fluids and tissues, to come out of physical solution and form bubbles.
A pilot or passenger who plans to fly after scuba diving should allow the body enough time to rid itself of excess nitrogen absorbed during diving
For flights of up to 8000 feet
After dives not requiring controlled ascent
Wait 12 hours
After dives requiring controlled ascent
Wait 24 hours
For flights above 8000 feet
Wait 24 hours