II. A. Aeromedical Factors

Question 1

Hypoxia- types & Symptoms

Answer 1

Hypoxic- lack of available o2- lack of air
Hypemic- blood cant transport o2 -bleeding
Histoxic- inabiity of cells to use o2
Stagnant- blood not flowing- pilling G’s

Symptoms: (TEN CHILD VD)
o	Tingling
o	Euphoria 
o      Numbness 
o      Cyanosis (blue fingers)
o      Headache
o	Impaired Judgment
o	Lightheaded / dizzy
o	Drowsiness
o	Visual impairment
o	Decreased reaction time

Cure- suplemental o2, descend..

Question 2

Hyperventilation, symptoms, cure

Answer 2

• Excessive rate & depth of respiration, leading to abnormal loss of carbon dioxide from blood
• Cure: Consciously slow breathing or breathe in/out of a paper bag
• Symptoms: (LUV THM)
  o Lightheaded / dizzy
  o Unconsciousness
  o Visual impairment
  o Tingling
  o Hot / Cold sensations
  o Muscle spasms

Question 3

Middle ear and sinus problems (Ear Block)

Answer 3

(OEMEO)

• Outer ear
• Ear drum (membrane)
• Middle ear
• Eustacean tube
• Opening to throat
• Symptoms
  o Extreme pressure / pain
  o Temporary loss of hearing

cure- dont fly!,

Question 4

Spacial Disorientation

Answer 4

• Lack of orientation in regard to position, altitude, or movement due to conflicting messages from the vestibular, somatosensory, and visual systems

Question 5

• Vestibular System

Answer 5

o Semi-circular canals in inner ear
o Organs in ear that sense position
o 3 semi-circular canals on 3 separate planes w/ viscous fluid and fine hairs
o When movement occurs, the fluid lags behind the motion and displaces the hairs thus sending nerve signals to the brain letting it know which direction the body is moving
o After several seconds, the fluid is capable of catching up to the lag ; once the body stops the movement, the body may sense that the body is moving in the exact opposite direction even though it is still
o Otolith organ sense gravitation forces such as acceleration and pitch

Question 6

• Somatosensory System

Answer 6

seat of the pants”

o Nerves in the skin, muscles, and joints along with hearing help sense position based on gravity, feeling, and sound

Question 7

• Visual System

Answer 7

o Eyes which sense position based on sight

- 80% of sensory is based on visual ; other 20% is based on vestibular and somatosensory

Question 8

• Combating Spatial Disorientation

Answer 8

(NEW VIDS)
o	Night flight currency
o	Explain causes and remain alert
o	Weather briefings (get preflight)
o	Verify the fixed point is reliable
o	Instruments (trust)
o	Diet and proper rest (adequate)
o	Sudden head movements (avoid)

Question 9

Motion Sickness

Answer 9

• Brain receives conflicting messages among the vestibular, somatosensory, & visual systems about the state of the body
• Symptoms: Nausea, dizziness, paleness, sweating, and vomiting
• Avoid turbulent conditions
• Avoid long flights
• Open air vents
• Focus on objects outside the plane
• Avoid unnecessary head movements

Question 10

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Answer 10

• Prevents hemoglobin from carrying oxygen to the cells (200 / 1)
• Causes hypemic hypoxia

Question 11

Stress and fatiguer

Answer 11

• Stress
  o Bodies response to physical and psychological demands
  o Raises adrenaline, metabolism, blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate, respiration, and sweating
  o 2 types
  • Acute: day to day; fight or flight; can me managed
  • Chronic: hard to cope with ; fall in performance ; intolerable burden & long lasting
• Fatigue
  o Associated with pilot error
  o Physical or mental
  o Degradation of attention, concentration, communication, coordination
  o 2 types
  • Acute: day to day
  • Chronic: result of prolonged fatigue

Question 12

Dehydration

Answer 12

• Critical loss of water from the body
• Wind, humidity, diuretic drink (caffeine / alcohol), heat
• Types:
  o Sleepiness
  o Cramps
  o Headache
  o Fatigue
  o Dizziness

Question 13

Alcohol and Drugs (91.17)

Answer 13

• Alcohol
  o Impairs judgment, responsibility, coordination, visual field, memory, reasoning, & attention span

o 8 hours bottle to throttle
o Blood alcohol level must be below 0.04%
o Under the influence at ALL

• Drugs
  o Tranquilizers, sedatives, strong pain relievers and cough suppressants can impair judgment, memory, alertness, coordination, vision, and the ability to make calculations
  o Aspirin, Tylenol, and Advil have little side effects when taken in correct dosages
  o Excessive caffeine and nicotine or extreme lack of can cause anxiety and mood swings
  o Depressants reduce blood pressure & mental processing, and slows reaction times

Question 14

• Drugs

Answer 14

o Tranquilizers, sedatives, strong pain relievers and cough suppressants can impair judgment, memory, alertness, coordination, vision, and the ability to make calculations
o Aspirin, Tylenol, and Advil have little side effects when taken in correct dosages
o Excessive caffeine and nicotine or extreme lack of can cause anxiety and mood swings
o Depressants reduce blood pressure & mental processing, and slows reaction times

Question 15

Nitrogen Excesses (8-1-2-d (Scuba Diving))

Answer 15

• “The Bends”
• SCUBA subjects the body to increased pressure which allows more nitrogen to dissolve in the body
• Uncontrolled Ascent: 8,000 MSL, 24 Hrs
• Controlled Ascent: 24 Hrs