Human Factors

Question 1

hypoxia defined

Answer 1

state of oxygen deficiency in the body that can impair brain

Question 2

list 4 types of hypoxia

Answer 2

hypoxic
hypemic
stagnant
histotoxic

Question 3

hypoxic hypoxia defined

Answer 3

insufficient oxygen available to (entire) body

Question 4

hypemic hypoxia defined

Answer 4

blood unable to transport sufficient amount of oxygen to cells

Question 5

stagnant hypoxia

Answer 5

oxygen-rich blood in lungs is not moving

Question 6

histo-toxic hypoxia

Answer 6

inability of cells to effectively use oxygen

Question 7

hypoxia symptoms can occur as low as

Answer 7

5000 ft

Question 8

hypoxia 12,000 - 15,000 feet impairments in areas of:

physical/emotional symptoms:

Answer 8

judgment, memory, altertness, coordination, ability to make calculations

headache, drowsiness, euphoria, belligerence

Question 9

factors which increase hypoxia risk

Answer 9

CO from smoking/exhaust
anemia
medicines
alcohol

body needs more oxygen if extremely hot, cold, has fever, or anxious

Question 10

3 ways to avoid hypoxia

Answer 10

enrich air with oxygen from appropriate oxygen system

maintain safe cabin pressure altitude

use pulse oximeter

Question 11

hyperventilation defined

why is CO2 needed?

Answer 11

increase in breathing resulting in significant decrease in carbon dioxide in blood

CO2 is needed to regulate breathing

Question 12

hyperventilation symptoms

Answer 12

lightheaded
suffocation
drowsiness
tingling
coolness
incapacitation
disorientation
muscle spasms

Question 13

hyperventilation is reversed by

Answer 13

normal breathing

breathe in/out of paper bag

Question 14

What is an “ear block”?

what does it cause?

Answer 14

air in middle ear pushes open Eustachian tube to nasal passages during climb but doesn’t do that during descent

severe pain and loss of hearing for hours to days

Question 15

“Ear block” is prevented by

Answer 15

swallowing
yawning
tensing throat
Valsalva maneuver - close mouth, pinch nose, blow through nostril

Avoid flying with upper respiratory infection or nasal allergies

Question 16

What is spatial disorientation?

Answer 16

awareness of orientation of aircraft and oneself in relation to known reference point

Question 17

Spatial disorientation is caused by 3 main sensory areas:

Answer 17

Visual
Vestibular - sensing system of inner ear
Postural - nerves in skin, joints, muscles of body

Question 18

What causes motion sickness?

Answer 18

continuous stimulation of inner ear which controls balance

Question 19

Symptoms of spatial disorientation?

Answer 19

desire for food is lost
saliva collects in mouth
perspiration
nauseous
vomitting
incapacitation

Question 20

Actions to take if pilot or passenger has motion sicknesss

Answer 20

open up air vents
loosen clothing
supplemental oxygen
keep eyes on one point outside of the aircraft
avoid moving head
cancel flight and land

Question 21

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Answer 21

carbon monoxide is breathed and it reduces the ability of blood to carry oxygen. CO causes hypoxia

Question 22

What is CO?

Answer 22

colorless, odorless, tasteless gas contained in exhaust fumes

Question 23

CO poisoning symptoms

Answer 23

headache
drowsiness
dizziness

Question 24

CO poisoning caused by

Answer 24

heaters used with exhaust gas fumes escaping through manifold cracks

Question 25

Steps if CO poisoning suspected

Answer 25

turn off heater
open vents
land

Question 26

Effects from scuba diving

Answer 26

Body needs time to rid itself of excess nitrogen
Decompression sickness can occur if (even) low altitude is encountered

Up to 8,000 feet (actual not cabin as decompression is a risk)

• Wait 12 hours if no controlled ascent required
• Wait 24 hours if controlled ascent was required

Above 8,000 feet
-Wait 24 hours for any dive

Question 27

OTC cold medicine is to be avoided because…

Answer 27

changes in atmospheric pressure can cause impaired judgment and performance