Human Factors Flashcards
Types of Hypoxia
Hypoxic, Hypemic, Stagnant, Hystoxic
Hypoxic Hypoxia
Insufficient oxygen to the body as a whole. Most common during flight, because of reduce of oxygen at higher altitudes.
Hypemic Hypoxia
“Not enough blood” oxygen deficiency in the blood. Most common is CO poisoning or donating blood.
Stagnant hypoxia
“Not flowing” blood is not flowing correctly. Can occur during flight with an acceleration of G’s.
Histoxic hypoxia
The inability for the cells to use oxygen. Histo refers to tissue or cells and toxic means poisonous. Can be caused by alcohol or narcotics. One ounce of alcohol is equivalent to 2,000’ of physiological altitude.
Symptoms of hypoxia
- Blue nails and lips
- Headaches
- Decrease reaction time and response
- Impaired judgement
- Visual impairment
- Drowsiness
- Lightheaded or dizziness
- Tingling in fingers and toes
- Euphoria
Corrective actions of hypoxia
Oxygen masks, emergency descent.
Hyperventilation
- Excessive breathing rate that results in abnormal loss of carbon dioxide.
- higher altitudes with or without oxygen a pilot may have a tendency to breathe more rapidly.
Symptoms of hyperventilating
Same as hypoxia, hot and cold sensations, and muscle spasms.
Corrective action of hyperventilating
Breathe into a bag, read out loud to take mind off breathing.
Middle ear and sinus problems
- during climbs and descents, the gases present in the body cavities expand due to a difference between the pressure of the outside of the body and the inside of the body.
- if the gases of the expanded air is blocked, pressure builds in the sinuses and pain is experienced.
- trapped gas results in pain in the ear and sinuses, and temporary reduction of hearing
- you should not fly with an upper respiratory infection/ nasal allergy condition.
Spatial disorientation
- Refers to the lack of orientation with regards of position, altitudes, or movement in space.
- the body uses 3 integrated systems that works together to help with orientation.
What systems help with disorientation in the body?
Vestibular system, somatosensory system, and visual system.
Vestibular system
Organs found in the middle 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 sound
Visual system
Eyes which sense position based on what is seen.
Motion sickness
- Caused by the brain receiving conflicting messages about the state of the body.
- a pilot may experience motion sickness during initial flights but generally goes away within the first few flight lessons
Symptoms of motion sickness
- General discomfort
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Paleness
- Sweating
- Vomiting
What can yo do to avoid motion sickness?
- avoid excessive head movement
- open fresh air vents
- focus on objects outside the airplane
What is carbon monoxide poisoning?
- colorless odorless gas
- results in Hypemic hypoxia
- aircraft heater & defrost vents may provide a passage way for carbon monoxide to get into the cabin
- if engine exhaust system has a leak or damage… if a strong odor or smell of gas is detected assume CO is present.
- tobacco smoke also causes CO poisoning similar to flying at 8,000’
Symptoms of CO poisoning?
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Drowsiness
- Loss of muscle power
Ways to help with CO poisoning?
- turn off heater & defroster
- open fresh air vents and windows
- using supplemental oxygen if available
What is stress?
- the body’s response to physical and psychological demands placed upon it.
- it releases chemical hormones into the blood (such as Adrenalin) increasing metabolism
- 2 types of stress categories are acute (short term) and chronic (long term)
- causes performance to drop rapidly
What are the effects of fatigue?
*reduction of attention and concentration, impaired coordination, and decreased ability to communicate
What are the categories of fatigue?
Chronic and acute
Symptoms of fatigue?
- Weakness, palpitations of the heart, breathlessness, headache, or irritability.
- sometimes chronic fatigue can create stomach or intestinal problems and generalizing pain and aches throughout the body can lead to emotional illness.
How to avoid fatigue?
- adequate rest and proper diet is only way to prevent fatigue from occurring.
- avoid flying without a full nights rest, after working excessive hours or after an especially exhausting or stressful day
What is dehydration?
A critical loss of water in the body
Causes of dehydration?
Heat, wind, humidity, high altitudes, caffeinated drinks and alcohol
Signs of dehydration?
Headache, fatigue, cramps, dizziness
Effects of dehydration?
Fatigue, which reduces performance
How to prevent dehydration?
Drinking 2-4 quarts of water a day
Optical illusions
- of the senses, vision is the most important for safety of flight
- various terrain features and atmospheric conditions can create optical illusions.
- illusions are typically associated with landing
Runway width illusion
If you see a narrow runway:
Illusion: the aircraft is at a higher altitude than what it actually is.
Results: the pilot will fly a lower than normal approach
If you see a wider runway
Illusion: the aircraft is at a lower altitude than it actually is.
Results: the pilot will fly a higher than normal approach.
Runway & Terrain Slope illusion
An upsloping runway:
Illusion: the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is
Results: the pilot will fly a lower than approach
A downslope runway:
Illusion:the aircraft is at a lower altitude than it actually is
Results: the pilot will fly a higher than normal approach
Featureless terrain illusion
*an absence of surrounding ground features, over a water approach & over dark areas or terrain made featureless by snow.
Illusion: the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is
Results: the pilot will fly a lower than normal approach
Haze
Illusion: the aircraft is at a greater distance and height from runway
Results: the pilot will fly a lower than normal approach
Fog
Illusion: the aircraft is pitching up
Results: steepen the approach
Ground lighting illusion
- lights along a straight path can be mistaken for runways or approach lights
- bright runway lights or approach lighting system especially when lights around surrounding area created the illusion of less distance to the runway, which results in a higher than normal approach
Nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba diving
- scuba subjects the body to increased pressure, which allows more nitrogen to dissolve in the body tissues and fluid.
- when flying you are exposed to low pressure with an increase in altitude
- pilot or passengers should allow time for the body to rid itself of excess nitrogen before flying.
- before going up 8,000’ it’s recommended to wait 12 hours (not controlled ascent) unless you did do a controlled ascend then it’s 24 hours
- beyond 8,000’ recommended 24hours
- bubbles form in different areas of the body when exposed to nitrogen in the bloodstream
- most common symptom is joint pain known as “the bends”
What can you do to help with nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba?
- Oxygen mask on and regulator 100%
- Emergency descent
- Try to not move where areas of pain may be
- Seek medical attention
What are some hazardous attitudes?
- Anti-authority
- impulsivity
- invulnerability
- macho
- resignation
What is antiauthority?
What is it? Don’t tell me
Antidote: follow rules, they are usually right
Impulsivity
What is it? Do it quickly
Antidote: not so fast, think first
Invulnerability
What is it? It won’t happen to me
Antidote: it could happen to me
Macho
What is it? I can do it
Antidote: taking chances is foolish
Resignation
What is it? What’s the use
Antidote: I’m not helpless, I can make a difference
