Human Performance Flashcards
It is defined as the exchange of gases between the organism and its environment. The absorption of oxygen from the atmosphere and the elimination of carbon dioxide from the body
Respiration
This is concerned with the transportation of blood throughout the body
Circulation
The red blood cells (RBC) carry how many percent of all oxygen in the body?
95%
What is a red blood cell largely made up of?
Hemoglobin
How many molecules of oxygen can each hemoglobin molecule within the red blood cell carry?
4 molecules of oxygen
This is described as a state of oxygen deficiency in the blood, tissues, and cells sufficient to cause an impairment of body functions
Hypoxia
This is anything that impedes the arrival or utilization of oxygen to the cell, places the body in this state
Hypoxia or Hypoxic state
Explain how hypoxia affects a person and what is the process? (This is more for understanding hehe)
If the oxygen supply to the body is reduced, the brain will be one of the first organs to be affected, which affects the higher reasoning portion. This means that judgement and cognitive skills diminish from the onset of hypoxia
These are the sensations a person can detect while in hypoxic state
Symptoms
Give some signs that a person is in a hypoxic state
- Cyanosis (Blue coloring of extremities)
- Rapid Breathing
- Poor Coordination
- Lethargy (Lack of Energy)
- Poor Judgement
Give some symptoms that a person can feel in a hypoxic state
- Air hunger
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Hot and Cold Flashes
- Tingling
- Visual Impairment
- Euphoria
What are the four types of hypoxia?
- Hypoxic Hypoxia
- Hypemic Hypoxia
- Stagnant Hypoxia
- Histotoxic Hypoxia
This is caused by a lack of oxygen in the surrounding area. This can occur very suddenly at very high altitudes
Hypoxic Hypoxia
This is any condition that interrupts the flow of oxygen into the lungs. This is the type of hypoxia encountered at altitude
Hypoxic Hypoxia
This is caused by blood deficiency, usually because of disease or illness, blood loss, deformed blood cells, anemia, and carbon monoxide poisoning
Hypemic Hypoxia
When this happens, oxygen cannot attach itself to the hemoglobin and the blood will not be able to carry a sufficient amount of oxygen to the cells in your body
Hypemic Hypoxia
What is the minimum interval between 2 donations?
12 weeks (3 months)
What is the most common cause for hypemic hypoxia in aviation?
Carbon monoxide inhalation
This is an oxygen deficiency due to poor circulation of the blood. This is brought about by any condition that interferes with the normal circulation of the blood arriving to the cells
Stagnant Hypoxia
This type of hypoxia is because of the cells’ inability to effectively use oxygen
Histotoxic Hypoxia
Oxygen may reach the cells in an adequate amount but the cells won’t be able to use the oxygen once it gets there because of? (State them)
- Alcohol
- Narcotics
- Cyanide
- Poison
This is described as the period of time from interruption of the oxygen supply or exposure to an oxygen-poor environment to the time when an individual is no longer capable of taking proper corrective and protective action
Time of Useful Consciousness (TUC)
What is the TUC at 45,000 feet MSL?
9 to 15 seconds
What is the TUC at 40,000 feet MSL?
15 to 20 seconds
What is the TUC at 35,000 feet MSL?
30 to 60 seconds
What is the TUC at 30,000 feet MSL?
1 to 2 minutes
What is the TUC at 28,000 feet MSL?
2 1/2 to 3 minutes
What is the TUC at 25,000 feet MSL?
3 to 5 minutes
What is the TUC at 22,000 feet MSL?
5 to 10 minutes
What is the TUC at 20,000 feet MSL?
30 minutes or more
State the preventive measures against hypoxia
- Always maintain a good physical state
- Maintain a nutritious diet
- Avoid excessive alcohol intakes and smoking
- Fly at an altitude where oxygen is not required
- Fly in a pressurized cabin
- Fly in accordance with the regulations regarding the use of supplemental oxygen
What is the normal breathing cycle range in a healthy adult?
12-16 breaths every minute
This is the state of breathing faster and/ or deeper than necessary, bringing light headedness and other undesirable symptoms often associated with panic attacks
Hyperventilation
What are the factors that causes hyperventilation?
- Pain or injury
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Use of stimulants
- Drug overdose (aspirin overdose, for example)
- Severe pain
As the blood is slowly restricted to the brain, the eyes will also be affected
Blurry Vision
This is experienced due to the alkaline-high blood reacting with the sensitive nerves of the extremities
Tingling
As the alkaline-high blood enters the muscle, the muscle will react in this certain way. Muscles of the face and the forearms seem to be the most prone.
Twitching Muscles
As the alkaline increases in the blood and the blood penetrates deep within the muscle, the muscle will progress from the twitch to an eventual __________
Tetany (Muscle Spasms)
State the steps in treating hyperventilation
- Breathe through pursed lips
- Breathe slowly into a paper bag or cupped hands
- Attempt to breathe into your diaphragm rather than your chest
- Hold your breath for 10 to 15 seconds at a time
- The only treatment is to slow the rate and depth of breathing
- Treat the cause, and not the symptom
This is a hidden menace because by itself, it is both a colorless and odorless gas. An individual would not be aware of its presence until symptoms are developed
Carbon Monoxide
This is a by-product of the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials
Carbon monoxide
State some sources of carbon monoxide
- Engine exhaust, it is a by-product of the incomplete combustion of aviation fuel
- Cabin heating units
- Polluted air or spending time around smokers
- Exhaust gases from other aircraft that can enter unfiltered via the bleed air and air-conditioning system
State the steps for carbon monoxide prevention
- Pilot education and awareness
- Any unusual cabin smell or sensation of illness should call for immediate troubleshooting
- If available, consider using supplemental oxygen
- Land ASAP
- Once on the ground, seek medical attention
- Before continuing the flight, have the aircraft inspected by a certified mechanic
This is the result of light striking the retina, after it enters the cornea and passes through the lens
Vision
The primary function of this is image formation and it also contains the light sensitive cells known as rods and cones
Retina
They are more numerous than the cones however they are not sensitive to color. They react to low light but not colors and are primary receptors at night. Responsible to much of peripheral vision
Rods
They provide eye’s color sensitivity
Cones
This is the center of the retina
Macula
This is the center of the Macula
Fovea
This tiny area is responsible for our central, sharpest vision because of the high concentration of cones.
Fovea
They are activated by an amount of light equal to starlight found on a clear night
Rods (Night Receptors)
They require at least half the intensity of moonlight in order to function
Cones (Day Receptors)
What are the two blind spots at below one-half moon illumination?
Optic disc and the fovea
What substance to rods contain?
Rhodopsin or visual purple
This is the loss of proper bearings; state of mental confusion as to position, location, or movement relative to the position of the earth
Spatial Disorientation
What are the sensory organs that are associated primarily with maintaining body equilibrium?
- Eyes (vision)
- Semicircular canals (vestibular apparatus)
- Skeletal Muscles (Proprioceptors)
This acts as the receptor organ for visual sensations.
Eye
They assist you in determining your position within a frame of reference, as well as any motion with respect to this reference
Skeletal Muscles
One end of each semicircular canal in the ear is enlarged, and in this area is a mound of sensory hair cells
Vestibular Apparatus
State the Flight Factors Contributing to Spatial Disorientation
- Changes in angular acceleration
- Flying in IFR conditions
- Low level flight over water
- Frequent transfer from VFR to IFR conditions
- Unperceived changes in aircraft altitude
