Aviation Medicine Flashcards
Hypoxia under normal conditions
- Heart and blood vessel disease
- Lung disease;
- Anaemia and other blood disorders;
- Intoxication from drugs, including alcohol
Hypoxia treatment
Conscious passengers:
1. Administer oxygen Hi flow
2. Seat pax upright
3. Monitor
Unconscious pax:
1. DRSABCD
2. Place in recovery position
3. Administer oxygen HI flow
4. Monitor
- discontinue oxygen administration when symptoms disappear and pax is responsive.Oxygen paradox
- Recovery from hypoxia when adequate oxygen is administered
- A sudden onset of dizziness/nausea during recovery is common and this is called oxygen paradox and should pass in approximately 15 secs
Time of useful Consciousness
Is the amount of time an individual is able to perform flying duties efficient in a environment of inadequate oxygen supply.
TUC at different altitude
22000ft - 5 to 10 mins
30000ft- 1 to 3 min
35000ft- 30-60 sec
40,000ft- 15 to 20 sec
TUC symptoms
- Rate of ascent
- Physical activity
- Fatigue
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Pre-Existing conditions
Hyperventilation and Symptoms
Lack of CO2 in the bloodstream:
- Flushed appearance
- Dizziness, faintness, and a feeling of unreality
- Tingling/numbness in hands and feet
- Respiration difficulties, asthma like symptoms, tightness of chest
- Rapid pulse
- Nausea
- Vision maybe be affected
- Brief fainting
Hyperventilation treatment
- DRSABCD
- Reassure pax, distract them from their breathing difficulties.
- Offer oxygen on high flow
- Seek medical advice if no improvement
Decompression sickness
- Affect individual who has recently been scuba diving
- As they absorbed too much NO2 into body fluids
- Prefer as ‘the Bends’
- Can occur at even lower altitude
Decompression sickness signs and symptoms
- Dull ache
- Skin tingling (the crawls-a burning rash sensation)
- Headache
- Body weakness, numbness
- Tightness of the chest, causing shortness of breath
- Dizziness and feeling faint
- Collapse
Hypoxia signs and symptoms
- Fatigue
- Feeling of warmth
- Listlessness and vague distress
- Lack of concentration
- Tingling fingers
- Mood change and confusion
- Breathlessness
- Blueness in fingertips
- Lack of self-criticism
- Blurred vision and dizziness
- Blue pallor of skin (Cyanosis)
- Loss of consciousness
- Death
Decompression sickness treatment
- Advise CAP immediately (descent may be required)
- Discourage physical activity
- Loosen tight clothing
- Administer oxygen on Hi flow
- Offer water every 15 mins until landing
- Make PA seeking qualified medical assistance
General First Aid CC responsibilities
- Implement DRSABCD
- Assess if the condition is minor or severe
- Notify CAP if applicable
- Prioritise
- Communicate amongst crew
- Make PA seeking qualified medical assistance if required
General Considerations in First Aid
Obtain consent before applying first aid
Demonstrate kindness, compassion and dignity for the patient and companions
Obtain info by asking:
1. What happened?
2. Has this happened before?
3. Have you been prescribed any medication
4. Have you any pain
5. What are you feeling
6. Do you know what may have caused this
