Hypoxia - Chapter 4

Question 1

Hypoxia is caused by:

Answer 1

A lack of O2 in the body

Question 2

Symptoms include:

Answer 2

Head-aches, shortness of breath as well as euphoria and numbness

Question 3

Stages are:

Answer 3

Asymptomatic/Indifferent - the body doesn’t realise hypoxia has started (from 4,000ft)

Compensatory - To try and prevent hypoxia at this stage, body starts to increase rate and depth of ventilation. (Between 10,000 - 15,000ft)

Deterioration - If people still don’t realise they have hypoxia at this stage, they can’t take steps to correct it. Some people will be able to realise through the symptoms of: poor judgement, headaches and europhia.

Critical stage - O2 saturation levels are 70% or less and this is the stage which leads to death

Question 4

To combat hypoxia:

Answer 4

Give O2 100% - this is through tanks on board A/C

Question 5

Gas law associated with hypoxia:

Answer 5

Dalton’s law

Question 6

If people smoke, it will ____________ their ability to combat hypoxia

Answer 6

Hinder/decrease

Question 7

If a decompression takes place, it is crucial to let ATC know but what else is necessary?

Answer 7

To stay above MSA

Question 8

Time of useful consciousness ____________ with an increasing altitude?

Answer 8

Decreases