Hypoxia & Hyperventilation

Question 1

Define Hypoxia

Answer 1

A condition when the available oxygen in the blood is insufficient for the demands of the body cells

Question 2

A pilot with chest infection can suffer effects of hypoxia below 10,000 ft amsl. (True/False)

Answer 2

True

Question 3

…. gas and high …. can also produce hypoxia at any altitude

Answer 3

CO (Carbon Monoxide), G Load

Question 4

The …. is the most sensitive organ to lower levels of oxygen

Answer 4

Brain

Question 5

Symptoms of hypoxia

Answer 5

Fuzziness, slowness of thought, lack of judgment, failing memory, clumsiness, euphoria, loss of visual sharpness, tunnel vision, reduced color vision, cyanosis, hyperventilation

Question 6

What is Cyanosis

Answer 6

Skin around lips and fingernails become blue in color as symptoms of hypoxia

Question 7

Factors affecting tolerance to hypoxia

Answer 7

having cold or chest infection, illness, hangover, drug effects, cold temperature, G force, fatigue, anemia, smoker, carbon monoxide, moves quickly about the aircraft

Question 8

What would you do as a pilot if you experience hypoxia in flight?

Answer 8

Administering oxygen from an oxygen supply source and descending the aircraft to 10,000 ft amsl or below

Question 9

What is oxygen paradox in hypoxia

Answer 9

The symptoms of hypoxia can be worsen temporarily once a moderately hypoxic person is placed on oxygen

Question 10

When a person experiences the oxygen paradox, we need to take the person off oxygen. True/False

Answer 10

False. Keep the person supplied with oxygen as oxygen paradox is temporary and always pass very quickly

Question 11

What is Useful Consciousness in hypoxia

Answer 11

The certain length of time available for a pilot to recognize hypoxia and remain conscious enough to be able to do something about it

Question 12

Explain how illness, physical activity, and cold body temperature reduce time of useful consciousness

Answer 12

Illness makes respiration system not working at full capacity. Physical activity requires more oxygen, therefore less residual oxygen available for breathing. Cold body temperature makes our body use more oxygen to produce heat therefore less oxygen available for breathing

Question 13

Hyperventilation (over-breathing) is always a sign/symptom of hypoxia. True/False

Answer 13

False. It can be a condition on its own

Question 14

Causes of Hyperventilation

Answer 14

Hypoxia, excessive worry, anxiety, fear, pain, loud noise, vibration, heat, airsickness, G-forces

Question 15

Symptoms of Hyperventilation

Answer 15

Rapid breathing, dizziness, light headedness, numbness & tingling of hands, feet, and around the mouth, spasm, pain, fainting, red face

Question 16

Treat hyperventilation like hypoxia as most of the early symptoms are identical. True/False

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Hyperventilation can be treated by placing a paper bag over the mouth and try to regulate the breathing. Why?

Answer 17

It helps to build up the CO2 levels in the blood