Human Factors Flashcards
Define Professionalism
the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person
List of people whom pilot is responsible for carrying out their duties
Flight crew, ground crew
What are key features of good and safe airmanship? (5)
Common sense Good aviation practices High standards in the air Ability to get along and communicate effectively Instill confidence in AirCrew or pax
Difference between personal flying vs hire-and-reward
Personal flying is flying yourself or passengers and the pilot pays for the entire flight costs
The term ‘for hire or reward’ means remuneration in terms of money, goods, credit, or any other form, for services rendered.
What is human factors in an aviation context?
HF is the study of the human’s capabilities limitations and behaviours and the integration of that knowledge into systems to reduce error, enhance safety and improve efficiency
What are the fundamentals of the SHELL Model? (5)
Software - the rules, procedures written docs etc which are part of the standard operating procedures
Hardware - the ATC suites, their config, controls and surfaces, displays and functional systems
Environment - the situation in which the L-M-S system must function, the social and economic climate as well as the natural environment
Liveware - the hum beings - human interaction
What is the objective of Human Factors programmes?
Enhance the HF/CRM skill of flight and cabin crew in NZ in order to reduce the risk of accidents and optimise safety performance.
Why is a HF programme important?
It is designed to reduce the breakdown in CRM, to enhance teamwork and other CRM processes, to improve their HF/CRM knowledge, skills and behaviour and to outline the need for a full integration of this non-technical training with existing technical training.
What is the percentage of the 2 main gasses in the atmosphere?
Nitrogen - 78%
Oxygen - 21%
Why does pressure decrease with altitude?
Height of the overlying air column and the density of the air decrease.
How does an increase in altitude affect the partial pressure of oxygen?
Air becomes rarefied with increase in altitude. Additional oxygen is progressively required by the pilot to maintain the pressure of oxygen required in the lungs (102mm Hg)
At 34,000ft, the pilot must have 100% oxygen
How does the respiratory system work?
The nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi all work like a system of pipes through which the air is funnelled down into our lungs. There in very small air sacs called alveoli, oxygen is brought into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is pushed from the blood out into the air
What is the physiology of the respiratory system?
The ultimate function of the respiratory system is gas exchange. This gas exchange consists of obtaining oxygen from the atmosphere and removing carbon dioxide from the blood.
How does the circulatory system work?
The 3 independent systems, lungs (pulmonary), heart (cardiovascular) and arteries, veins and coronary and portal vessels (systemic). The system is responsible for the flow of blood, nutrients, oxygen and other gasses and as well as hormones to and from cells.
What is the physiology of the circulatory system?
The function of the circulatory system is to transport blood and oxygen from the lungs to the various tissues of the body.
What is the partial pressure of oxygen outside the lungs at AMSL?
150mm Hg
What is the partial pressure of oxygen inside the lungs at AMSL?
102 mmHg - presence of 2 gasses, carbon dioxide and water vapour
What is the mechanical effect of oxygen on oxygen transfer in the lungs?
Gasses in the lungs have to diffuse across the alveoli.
Each gas will diffuse from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
What are the causes of hypoxia?
Not enough oxygen in the air, deficiencies in the circulatory system transporting the oxygen or cell difficulty in absorbing the oxygen.
What are the physiological and behavioural consequences of hypoxia for flight crew and pax?
Many of the symptoms are subtle so the person suffering from hypoxia won’t know until it is too late. Person may begin to yawn or have a headache. Euphoria or fuzzy thinking may take place.
What are the 10 symptoms of hypoxia?
- Reduced night vision/reduced vision
- Breathlessness/hyperventilate
- Fatigue
- A feeling of fuzziness when thinking
- Difficulty performing simple mental tasks. i.e math
- Difficulty recalling something that has just occurred or info on has just learned
- a sense of euphoria
- blue tinge to the fingers of lips
- headache
- unconsciousness
Why is hypoxia hard to detect?
Very subtle symptoms. Fuzzy feeling or euphoria
How does hypoxia affect vision and cognitive performance?
Vision becomes sluggish and there is difficulty carrying out near-vision related tasks
How can hypoxia be prevented?
Cabin pressurisation or O2 mask - having both will provide greater assurance that hypoxia will be prevented
What are the main factors that influence variation in hypoxia onset? (5)
Pilot is not fit Not well Has had drugs or alcohol Cold temps Strong G Forces
What are the factors that affect the likelihood of suffering from Hypoxia? (5)
Physical fitness Cabin temp, Altitude Rate of ascent duration at altitude
How can hypoxia be treated?
Breathe oxygen from an O2 source or descend below 10,000ft ASML
What is the ‘time of useful consciousness?
the period of elapsed time from the interruption of normal air supply or exposure to an oxygen poor environment until the time when the ability to function usefully is likely to be lost at which point an affected individual would be no longer capable of taking normal corrective action
Time of useful consciousness at 18,000ft?
15 - 30 mins
Time of useful consciousness at 25,000ft?
3-5 mins
Time of useful consciousness at 35,000ft?
45-60 secs
What is oxygen paradox?
When someone who is hypoxic is placed on O2, symptoms may worsen momentarily. LEAVE ON O2
What are the common causes of hyperventilation? (5)
encountering unexpected / unfamiliar situations
excessive concentration on a flight procedure
experiencing a significant emergency
having difficulty accomplishing procedures
being examined or audited
What are symptoms of hyperventilation? (10)
pins and needles increased heart rate headache nausea blurred vision impaired judgement memory impairment muscle spasms and tics muscle weakness drowsiness unconsciousness
How can hyperventilation be treated? (6)
Treat as hypoxia O2 mask slowing and deepening breath breathing into paper bag - restores proper CO2 level in the body warn others
What are differences between hypoxia and hyperventilation
Hard to detect - hypoxia is worse
What causes barotrauma?
Descending for landing - ear pain - differences in pressure between middle ear and outer ear
What are the symptoms of barotrauma? (5)
ear pain a need to 'pop' ears dizziness bleeding or fluid coming from ear hearing loss
Where can barotrauma occur in the body?
Lungs
Ear
What complications can barotrauma cause on the body? (4)
Breathing problems / chest pain
bloodshot eyes
vertigo or ear pain
facial pain or bloody nose
How can you prevent barotrauma? (4)
Swallowing Chewing Decongestant Antihistamine Eustachian tubes open
What are the causes of decompression sickness?
Rapid decrease in the pressure that surrounds you
What are the symptoms of decompression / the bends (5)
joint pain itchiness numbness tingling paralysis in parts of the body
How can decompression sickness be prevented?
Cease scuba diving at a definite period before a planned flight
How long should you wait before flying if you have dived more than 10m?
48hours
How long should you wait before flying if you have dived less than 10m?
24hours
How can you treat decompression sickness?
100% oxygen
Hyperbaric chamber
How does explosive decompression affect the body?
Can cause lung damage
Hypoxia
What actions must be taken if explosive decompression occurs?
Don oxygen mask
Sit down, buckle in and hold on
