Human Factor Flashcards
Corrective action for Hypoxia
To remedy some affects of hypoxia, the pilot should fly at lower altitudes and use supplemental oxygen
At what altitude (MSL) does the average person begin to feel Hypoxia?
Begin to feel the affects of hypoxia at 10,000’
for some, hypoxia can cause impairment with altitudes as low as 5,000
What is hypoxia insidious?
It sneaks up on you, blinding you to the feeling that something is wrong
initial symptoms such as a care free feeling can provide false sense of security
the human body does not give reliable signals at the onset of hypoxia
medication that depress the nervous system (sleep aids) or antihistaminic (allergy) make pilots more susceptible
Hypoxia Symptoms
Varies from person to person
first symptom is generally feeling euphoric/carefree
headache, increased reaction time, decreased response to stimuli, impaired judgment, visual impairment, drowsiness, light headed/dizzy, tingling in extremities, numbness, tunnel vision
(tunnel vision usually kicks in as hypoxia worsens, instrument interpretation becomes difficult
Hypemic Hypoxia
occurs when the blood is not available to take up and transport a sufficient amount of oxygen to the cells of the body “not enough blood”
result of oxygen deficiency in blood
a common cause is CO poisoning
Hypoxic Hypoxia
A result of insufficient oxygen available to the body as a whole.
can be cause from a blocked airway
as aircraft rise during flight there are fewer available molecules at the pressure required for them to pass through the membrane of the respitory system
Stagnant Hypoxia
“not flowing” results when the )2 rich blood in the lungs is not moving to the tissue that needs it
can result from shock or heart failing to pump
excessive Gs in flight
cold temperatures can slow circulatory flow
Histotoxic
“toxic” the inability of the cells to effectively use oxygen
can be caused by alcohol or drug such as narcotics
1oz alcohol= 2,000 of physiological altitude
Symptoms of hypoxia
Very from individual but common ones are:
cyanosis (blue finger tips or lips), headaches, decreaased stimuli response and delayed reaction time, impared judgment, euphoria, drowsiness, tingling fingers/toes, light headed/dizzy, numbness, visual imparement
Hyperventilation
The excessive rate and depth of respiration leading to abnormal loss of CO2 from the blood.
Common symptoms include:rapid breathing, visual impairment, light headed or dizzy sensation, tingling sensation, hot / cold sensation, muscle spasms, unconsciousness
What can cause hyperventilation?
Hyperventilation can be cause by:
The body reacting to stressful situations
Flying higher altitudes a pilot may have a tendency to breath more rapidly than normal.
Corrective action for hyperventilation
Breathing normally is the best prevention and the best cure for hyperventilation
breathing into a bag also helps
once normal breathing is restored, hyperventilation rapidly subsides
*sing/talking
Middle ear sinus problems
Sinus Block
AN upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or sinusitis, or a nasal allergy condition can produce enough congestion around an opening to slow equalization. As the difference in pressure between the sinuses and flight deck increases, congestion may plug the opening. This “sinus block” occurs most frequently during descent.
Sinus block can be avoided by not flying with upper respiratory infection or nasal allergy conditions
What is the middle ear?
What is the inner ear?
Middle ear is a small cavity located in the bone of the skull, right on the inside of the ear drum
Inner ear is the portion of the ear located on the inside of the eardrum
in houses organs that make up the vestibular system “the semicircular canals”
Ear Block
When the Eustachian tube is blocked and unable to equalize pressure during climbs and descents
can cause severe ear pain and hearing loss that can lost hours/days
can also lead to ruptured wardrum/ infections
Why do descents inflict more discomfort on eardrums than climbs?
Equalizing lower pressure air inside the middle ear through the Eustachian tube becomes more difficult due to the fact that the partial vacuum tends to constrict the walls of the tube.
This vacuum effect on the Eustachian tube does not happen in climbs
Optical Illusions
Various terrain features and atmospheric conditions can create optical illusions primarily associated with landing. The major illusions leading to errors are:
Runway width illusions - may seem higher
Featureless terrain Illusion - may seem higher
Water refraction - may seem higher
Haze - may seem higher or farther
Fog - may seem like pitching up
Runway/terrain slope Illusion - may seem higher
ground lighting illusion - road light may seem like runway/also may make runway appear closer than reality
Spatial Disorientation
Lack of orientation with regard to position, attitude, or movement of the airplane in space.
the body uses 3 integrated systems to ascertain orientation and movement in space;
-vestibular system- organ found in the inner ear that sense position by the way we are balanced
-somatosensory system - nerves in the skin, muscles, and joints that, along with hearing, sense position based on gravity, feeling and sounds
-visual system - eyes, which sense position based on what is seen
What causes spatial disorientation?
our three sensory systems providing conflicting information to the brain - this gives an unclear idea of where and how the body is moving
The leans illusion
an abrupt correction of a banked attitude which has been entered too slowly to stimulate the motion sensing system in the ear, can create the illusion of banking in opposite direction
How can you prevent potentially hazardous illusion
to prevent hazardous illusions use the vasi or papi or electronic glide slopes is available
anticipate illusions: use chart supplements for info on runway slope, terrain, lighting
Make frequent references to altimeter
corrective action for motion sickness
starting with shorter flights or flying in less turbulent conditions is a good measure to take to prevent motion sickness
opening fresh air vents/windows, focusing on objects outside the airplane, and avoiding unnecessary head movement may alleviate some discomfort
Motion sickness
motion sickness or air sickness is caused by the brain receiving conflicting messages about the state of the body
common symptoms
discomfort
nausea
dizziness
paleness
sweating
vomiting
carbon monoxide poisoning CO
colorless odorless gas produced by internal combustion
prevents hemoglobin from carrying oxygen to cells
if strong exhaust odors are present, assume CO is present
some CO poisoning symptoms are: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, loss of muscle power, blurred vision
corrective action for CO poisoning
If the pilot smells exhauset odor or symptoms of CO poisoning are experienced, immediate corrective action should be taken including:
Turning off heater
opening air vents/windows
using supplemental oxygen
declare emergency
consider emergency descent
Stress
The bodys response to physical and spycological demands placed upon it. the body response to stress includes releasing hormones (such as adrenaline) into the blood, increasing metabolism and creating more energy.
Some “stressors” include; physical stress(noise), physiological stress (fatigue), psychological (work or personal life).
Falls in 2 categories; acute (short tem) Chronic (long term)
Pilots experiencing chronic stress are usually not safe to fly
How does the body react to stress?
The body releases hormones (such as adrenaline) in the blood and metabolism increases to provide more energy to the muscles
also blood sugar, heart rate, restoration, blood pressure, and perspiration all increase.
Fatigue
Frequently associated with pilot error
some factors include; decrease in attention and concentration, impared coordination, decreased ability to communicate
physical fatigue can result from sleep loss, exercise, or physical work.
mental fatigue results from stress and prolonged performance of conitive work
2 factors; acute fatigue and chronic fatigue
skill fatigue is an acute fatigue
What type of fatigue is most detrimental to pilots?
Skill fatigue. This type acute fatigue has two main effects on performance
1) timing disruptions, where tasks seem to be performed as usual exempt the timing of each component
2) Disruption of the perceptual field, where attention becomes concertrated upon movements or objects in the center of vision, neglecting those in the periphery
symptoms of chronic fatigue
weakness
tiredness
heart palpitations
breathlessness
headaches
irritability
stomach problems
generalized aches/pains
Dehydration
Critical loss of water from the body / 1.5 qts start
first noticeable effect is fatigue, which affects physical and mental performance
to prevent, drink 2 - 4 quarts of water daily
other sysptoms include headache, cramps, sleepiness and dizziness
What is hypothermia and why dangerous
Its a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses hear faster than it can produce it, resulting in critically low body temp.
Its dangerous because it is incapacitating. Once your body temp drops to low, your body tries to jump start some heat by shivering and constricting muscles. this discomfort is extremely distracting. eventually youll feel pain in your extremities and permanent nerve damage, a slowed pulse, loss of conciousness, then death.
How to avoid hypothermia
Plan ahead
scope out weather thoroughly
verify heater function beforehand
bring extra clothing
identify contingency routes
Alcohol or Drugs
(91.17)
no person may act attempt to act as crew member of a civil aircraft-
1) within 8 hours after the consumption of alcohol
2) while under the influence
3) while using any drug that affects the persons faculties in any way contrary to safety
4) while having a BAC of .04 or grater in blood or breath specimen. Alcohol concentration means grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood or per 210 liters of breath
Why do pilots have to abide by stricter regulations for alcohol?
Due to the aggravated affects of higher pressure altitudes. as little as
- 1 bottle of beer
- 1 ounce liquor
- 4 ounces of wine
can impair flying skills by rendering a pilot more susceptible to hypoxia and disorientation
piloting an aircraft entails heightened burden of decision making and coordination
How long does FAA recommend waiting between dosing intervals before flying after taking medication?
FAA recomends waiting 5 maximal dosing intervals before flight after taking meds.
So a dosing interval of 5-6 hours would require a wait of 30 hrs
Decompression sickness (DCS)
Result from exposure to low barometric pressure that cause inert gases (mainly nitrogen) normally dissolved in body fluids and tissues, to come out of physical solutions and forms bubbles.
Most common symptoms in joint pain (the bends) from nitrogen bubbles in blood
The chokes is from bubbles in lungs
What to do when Decompression sickness occurs?
put on oxygen mask at 100% oxygen
begin emergency descent and land asap
keep affected area still if joint pain
seek medical attention upon landing
delayed symptoms of DCS can occur on ground after flight
DCS after scuba
A pilot or Pax should allow the body sufficient time to rid itself of sxcess nitrogen absorbed during diving if not, DCS due to evolved gas can occur during exposure to low altitude and create serious injury inflight
Recommended waiting time before flying up to 8,000 is at least 12 hours for diving that does not require controlled ascent, and 24 hrs for controlled ascent
divers should always wait 24 if flying above 8,000
What is aeronautical decision making?
ADM is a systematic approach to risk assessment and stress management steps for good decision making are:
identifying personal attitude hazardous to safe flight
learning behavior modification techniques
learning how to recognize and cope with stress
developing risk assessment skills
using all resources
evaluating the effectiveness of ones ADM skills
PAVE checklist
Helps pilots remember each category to examine risk prior to each flight.
P = pilot in command - the pilot must ask “am i ready for this trip” in terms of experience, recency, currency, physical and emotional conditions
A = aircraft - what limitations will the aircraft pose?
E = enVironment - weather, terrain, airport airspace, nighttime
E = External pressure - pressure to complete the flight
IMSAFE checklist
8-1-1
Determines physical and mental readiness for flying
Illness - am I Sick?
Medication - Have I taken medication that could impairment?
Stress - Am I under any phycological stress?
Alcohol - Have I drank within 8hrs? 24hrs?
Fatigue - Am I tired or not adequately rested?
Emotion - Am I emotionally upset?
What are the Hazardous Attitudes?
Attitudes that can negatively impact decision making and flight safety
Macho - trying to prove superiority over others
anti - authority dislike for authority figure
Resignation - feeling like one cant make a difference
Impulsivity - acting without thinking
Invulnerability - believing accidents only happen to others
Hypoxia
“reduce oxygen” or “not enough oxygen”
can be caused by several factors, including insufficient oxygen supply, inadequate transportation of O2 or the inability of the body’s tissue to use oxygen.
the forms of hypoxia are based on their causes
hypoxic
hypemic
stagnant
histo-toxic
