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