AVIATION MEDICINE Flashcards
Definition of Hypoxia
Lack of oxygen in the blood tissues
Management of Hypoxia?
Give oxygen- 4L
Calm and reassure
make comfortable by loosing clothing
monitor
Symptoms of Hypoxia?
MILD
fatigue
lack of concentration
listlessness
MODERATE
breathlessness
mood swings
confusion
lack of criticism
SEVERE
death
unconsciousness
cyanosis
Decompression sickness definition?
When gas bubbles form
due to atmospheric pressure
e.g diving, need 24hrs for nitrogen to release
cabin crew- 48hrs
Symptoms of Decompression sickness?
the bends
the chokes
the creeps
In detail..
Symptoms for decompression sickness
deep pain in joints
difficulty breathing
odd sensation in skin
red rash
partial loss of vision
How to manage Decompression Sickness?
Let the FD know
to divert to nearest airport with a hyperbaric chamber
to descend to a lower altitude to release nitrogen
unconscious- lay in recovery position
conscious- lay them on their backs with feet up
keep warm
restrict movement
give oxygen
monitor
Depressurisation types?
Gradual
Rapid
Symptoms of Graduel depressurisation
Headaches
mild euphoria
sleepiness
drowsiness
increase pulse rate
Symptoms of Rapid depressurisation?
Loud bang
extreme noise
extreme cold
air rushing out
loose items
hot water boiling
Definition of Rapid depressurisation?
Structural damage
fuselage damage
damage to the aircraft system
TUC 20000 FT?
5-10M
TUC 25000FT?
2-3 M
TUC 30000FT?
45-75 SECS
TUC 35000FT?
30-45 SECS
TUC 40000FT?
20-30 SECS
TUC 45000FT?
15-20 SECS
How does it vary?
TUC
due to age
condition of health
fitness
altitude
depressurisation response?
what PA will you hear from the FD
ATTENTION! EMERGENCY DESCENT!
safe altitude reached?
What PA will you hear from the Flight deck?
CABIN CREW safe altitude reached?
Emergency decent response
after hearing the PA what will you do?
FIT- oxygen
SIT- secure in seat wherever
ADVISE- pax to do the same
safe altitude response
after PA has been made what will you do?
TRANSFER- to portable oxygen
ASSIST- crew/pax/administer FA
ASSESS- pax/ identify injuries &dmage to aircraft
report- injuries and damage to aircraft. actions / TEST
When can you stop giving first aid?
When a medical personnel takes over
when the person becomes better
when it becomes unsafe
or when you can no longer continue due to fatigue
Can you contact flight deck for a medical emergency during no contact
no only if a person tries to open the exits or there is a self sustaining fire
what about in limited contact?
What things are you able to contact THE FD during this time?
Yes, for medical emergencies
fuel leak, fire etc i can
first aid role?
Preserve- administer correct first aid
Promote- ongoing treatment
Prevent- further danger
Atmospheric pressure percentage?
78% nitrogen 20% oxygen 2% carbon dioxide
What happens with increasing altitude?
temperature drops
humidity falls
gas trapped in the body expands
atmospheric pressure increases
Pain in Ears management ADULT
Instruct pax to chew and yawn
if that fails then we are going to ask them to take a deep breath, close mouth and noise and swallow
if the pains persists during descent we will give Panadol as instructed by pax
apply warmth to the outer ear and advise to see a medical doctor
Pain in ears Infant
what wil you let the baby do?
let the baby cry vigorously and advise the parents to let the baby suck on a bottle
if pain persists advise to see a medical doctor
Teeth Management?
Apply icepack
give panadol
Symptoms of teeth pain?
Hollow Cavity
Decay
gas expanding and putting pressure
Sinus Management?
instruct pax to blow forcibly one nostril at a time
give Bren-Clear
give Panadol
Symptoms of Sinus issues?
Headaches
Pressure in forehead
Watery Eyes
Hyperventilation Symptoms?
feelings
Anxiety
Stress
Rapid or deep breathing
Low level of carbon dioxide
Tingling
Spasms
Fainting
Numbness
Hyperventilation Management?
what to do after you see someone hyperventalating?
Reassure the Pax
Instruct Pax to take slower breaths
Give 4L oxygen
Monitor
Gastro Intestinal Disturbance Cause?
Low fibre diet
Dietary
Stress
Pain medication
Pregnancy
Fitness
Gastro Intestinal Disturbance Management?
Sip liquids
Go see a doctor
rest
do not eat a lot
Airsickness Cause?
why can it happen?
Anxiety
Fatigue
Hungover
Diziness
Airsickness Symptoms?
Nausea
Vomiting
Pale
Airsickness Management?
Sip of Lemonade/ Ice water
Clean where necessary
Advise not to go to sleep
give extra sick bags
Advise to look out in the horizon
Fainting Cause?
why does someone faint?
Shock
Pain
Siting/ Standing for long periods of time
Inadequate blood pressure to brain
Fainting Management?
how to treat patient?
Conscious- Lay on back
Unconscious- Lay on recovery Position
Monitor
Not going to give them anything to drink or eat
after they feel better, we will give them a sugary drink to raise their blood pressure
Fainting Symptoms?
what will you see if someone has fainted?
Laying on the ground
Giddiness
Vomiting
Nauseous
unconscious
Sweating
3 types of Cardiac arrest
Angina
Heart attack
Cardiac arrest
Signs of Cardiac Arrest?
why can it happen?
Drugs
blocked arteries
hereditary
loss of oxygen
loss of blood
age
fitness
physical activity
alcohol consumption
medical condition
Angina - What is it?
Chest pain
Heart attack -what is it?
Blocked circulation in the heart
Cardiac Arrest- What is it?
Blocked/ electric problem to heart
Management for Angina/Heart attack?
Ask Pax if they have a medical condition
Ask them if they have their medication on them
Ask the passenger to adopt the most comfortable position
Stay with them and monitor closely and observe until their pain has subsidise
If pax knows how to control the pain, we are going to follow their instructions
Cardiac Arrest? Signs
one of the heart attacks
loss of consciousness
no response
vomiting - (conscious) - recovery position
Cardiac arrest management?
CPR
DEFIB
30 compressions, 2 breaths
Allergic Reaction definition?
body reaction to a a certain protein
Allergic Reaction symptoms?
Stomach cramps
nausea
breathless
headaches
Anaphylaxis symptoms?
Metallic taste
swelling
itching
thrush skin
increase Heart rate
Anaphylaxis how is it caused and is it life threatning?
life threatening
caused by stings, medicine, synthetic materials
Anaphylaxis management?
how will you treat the paitent?
blue to the sky
orange to the thigh
calm & reassure the passenger
follow the emergency plan
follow the manufacturer
instructions for safe administration
record the time
safely manage the used injection
no improvements, inject 2nd epipen
Asthma signs?
why does it happen?
Spasms in small air tubes in the lungs
Difficulty breathing
allergies due to dust, pollen, exercise, infection smoke
Asthma symptoms?
what will you see?
Pale skin
breathlessness
sweating
Asthma management?
how to treat the patient?
adopt comfortable position
loosen any tight clothing
give oxgen 4l
ask the passenger if they have an inhaler (4 breaths, 4 sprays)
hands over head
if breathing stops comence CPR
Burn signs?
pain
redness in skin
discolouration
smell
burn causes?
hot device
hot water spilt
burn management?
how will you treat the patient?
Remove the cause
saturate the burn in cold water for 20 minutes
do not remove any clothing that sticks
remove rings and bracelets
do not use break blister
do not apply cream
cover with light dressing (non adhesive)
elevate burnt limbs
Adult choking signs partial and full
Partial- they can breath, speak and cough
full- they cant speak and nothing is coming out
Adult choking management? Partial
how will you treat the patient?
Partial- reassure
ask to cough
Adult choking management? Full
how will you treat the patient?
place in recovery position after item has been lodged out with the 4 black blows
if that doesn’t work then we alternate with 4 chest thrust, until the item has been coughed out.
if they become unconscious we commence CPR until they become conscious and position them in the recovery position
Diabetes Hypo
low suger
diabetes hyper
high suger
hypo symptoms
diabtes
sweating
pale skin
irritable
hunger
sleepliness
treatment
for hypo diabetes
give a sugary drink
hyper diabetes symptoms
bad breath
weakness
blurred vision
treatment
for hyper diabetes?
give sugary drink followed by muffin or sandwich
if there is no improvements inform the FD for an ambulance to be called.
Sprains/Bruises signs
over stretched ligaments
Sprains/Bruises managment
Rest the leg to keep weight off
ice pack the injury to reduce swelling and stiffness
use compression bandage to reduce swelling
elevate the leg, to prevent swelling (not above the heart)
refer to medical profession
Fractures Mangement?
Control the bleeding with a dressing
do not apply pressure
immobilise the fracture with a rigid item such as a magazine
do not re-align
elevate
check circulation and warmth every 15min
apply RCE
treat shock
Nose bleed management?
how to treat patient?
Instruct Pax to sit upright
Instruct pax to lean forward
Instruct Pax to breath through their mouth
use protective gloves
apply finger pressure at the end od nose for 10m
haemorrhage bleeding management
Use gloves
apply pressure
elevate
remove dressing
do not tournique
treat shock
Management for shock?
calm and reassure
oxygen
keep warm
conscious- lay on back
unconscious- recovery position
symptoms for shock
what you may see on a patient?
thirst
unconsciousness
sweating
pale skin
nausea
cause of shock
death
collapse
loss of circulation
poison
blood loss
severe burn
dehydration
hemoridge
concussion signs
mood change
anxiety
depression
black out
headache
seizure
what is it?
sudden or electric problem in brain
epilepsy
What is it?
condition
management
how to manage epilepsy?
do not put anything in mouth
remove anything in the area which will cause damage
provide pillows & blanket
minimum restraining
recline seat/ loosen seatbelt
place in recovery position
if not possible leave them alone
if the timing is off (call ambulance)
Stroke signs
what will you see on a patient being affected by a stroke?
balance
eyes droopy
face
arm drooping
speech
headache
loss of movement
eye pupil
Paralisis
Stroke Management?
how to treat patient?
no drink or food
oxygen (high flow)
calm and reassure
place in recovery position in affected area
notify flight deck
childbirth management?
what to do?
Notify FD
PA for medical assistance
stages of childbirth?
1- dilation
2- birth
3- afterbirth
precautions
for childbirth?
check the cord
do not bump baby head
reassure
keep baby warm
let mum hold baby
more precautions
for childbirth?
use first aid kit and bodily fluid
make comfortable
allow fluid out
blow face
rubb back
D
R
S
A
B
C
D
DANGER- to your self and bystanders
R
response- check to see if they can hear u, touch them, ask to open eyes, squeeze my hand
S
send for help- get and inform the pic and ask for medical
Airway DRSABC
check for breathing and any obstruction roll them onside and remove obstruction
breathing DRSABC
check for normal breathing 3-5 breaths 10 seconds (look and listen)
CPR
30 compressions
2 breaths
recovery position unconscious breathing normal
precautions?
keep airway clear
observe pulse
loose clothing
do not leave un attendant
alert FD
Head to toe survey
head
bones
press on chest
arm
squeeze fingers
stomach
legs
feet
First aid report
submit report even if pax refused first aid
to airs report within 24hrs
debrief after incident
Rapid depressurisation human symptoms
-rapper Chest Expansion
-cheek and lip flutter
- extreme pain in joints
- abdominal fulness
- difficulty communicating
Gradual depressurisation cabin reason
due to a leak or failure of the pressurisation equipment
