General Health and Performance Flashcards
Why might you experience disorientation during manoeuvres?
Mixed messages to the brain
What is the most common ailment affecting pilots?
Food poisoning (gastro)
How long should one avoid flying after a blood donation?
24h
What are symptoms of mild and severe dehydration?
Mild: Prickly eyes Dry nasal passages Severe: All body processes affected Irrationality Emotional effects
How much water is typically lost per day? What about a hot day?
1l,
on a hot day up to 5l
Why can sinusitis and hay fever cause severe loss of concentration for a pilot?
Swelling of membranes, blocking sinus and causing pain
If a pilot suffers an injury that might impair their flying what should he/she do?
Inform CASA or DAME immediately and not fly until DAME says the medical standard is met fully
With age, hearing and short distance vision are reduced. How does this impact most pilots?
It doesn’t as they remain above standard in most cases
Why should a pregnant pilot not fly after 6 months?
Need to bend or climb to preflight a plane
What causes air sickness in turbulence
Confusing messages to the brain
Why can green vegetables cause discomfort?
Gas release during digestion- this can expand at altitude
What are the symptoms of air sickness?
Pale face
Sweating
Nausea/vomiting
What preconditions exacerbate air sickness?
Anxiety or stress
What is the most important sense for orientation? What else is used?
Vision (also the ear and skeleton)
Obesity causes what?
Heart disease, Hypertension, gout, diabetes
What are the rules for flying after diving?
If no compression stops required, 4h
Otherwise:
Dive up to 4h. - 12h
Beyond that 48h
How frequently is a medical certificate required?
1y for CPL or 2y for PPL or student
What is the effect of hyperventilating? What causes it? What is the cure?
Reduced CO2 reduced blood acidity. Dizziness Sweating High heart rate Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
Caused by anxiety/ stress
Cure:
Breathe into a paper bag and consciously slow your breathing
What is the pressure change 30ft under water?
2x
How long should you wait after sleeping pills?
24h
How are the bends treated?
By replacing nitrogen with less soluble helium
An upwards terrain slope from the threshold causes what illusion
That you are lower than you actually are
A runway that slopes up from the threshold creates what illusion
That you are higher than you are
What time is it hardest to stay awake?
3-5am
After lunch there is a slight increase in tiredness called the…?
Post prandial dip
How does stress affect performance?
Moderate levels can improve situational performance
Excess stress always reduces attention span, adds to: Forgetfulness, Reluctance to make decisions Apathy, weariness Depression, mood swings
What are stress exacerbators?
Gload, noise, vibration, temperature extremes, hunger and thirst
What causes chronic fatigue?
It is lifestyle related but the causes are unknown
When are you most likely to form a false hypothesis?
After intense concentration, over expectancy or distraction
What is the term for not noticing something unusual in plain sight?
Mind set
How should one act to avoid a false hypothesis?
1 consider facts 2 define problem 3 consider solutions 4 try solutions (act) 5 consider results
How far under water does pressure double?
30ft
