Part One - The Human Condition Flashcards
Over what percentage of aircraft accidents are caused by pilot error?
80%
BMI Formula
BMI = Weight in Kilos / Height in meters squared
Above what BMI is considered overweight?
25
Above what BMI is considered obese?
30
How much blood does your heart pump per day?
7600L
What is the single most common cause of pilot incapacitation during flight?
Gastro-intestinal upsets caused by contamination of food or drink.
What range is the human body most comfortable operating in?
21 - 27 degrees at 50% relative humidity
Above what temperature is the first type of heat stress likely to occur?
32 degrees
What is the most noticeable effect of the first type of heat stress?
Tiredness
What causes heat exhaustion?
Circulatory system cannot compensate for blood vessels that have dilated to increase flow of heat out of your body via the skin.
What is the best antidote for the first type of heat stress?
Drinking water
What causes the second type of heat stress?
Too much sun prior to a flight without adequate protection or lack of sufficient liquid intake.
What is the effect of the second type of heat stress?
Concentration may be lowered leading to a decline in decision making.
What causes the third type of heat stress?
Temperatures below about 10 degrees.
What does the third type of heat stress cause?
It is possible for your body to lose more heat than it can produce which can cause shivering, drowsiness and poor concentration - all having adverse effects on performance.
What is hypothermia?
Body can no longer maintain its core temperature.
What are the symptoms hypothermia?
Impairment of thinking, apathy and eventually unconsciousness and death.
Cause of hypothermia?
Long immersion in cold water or unprotected exposure to very cold environmental temperatures.
What does dehydration eventually lead to?
A malfunction of almost every bodily process including emotional disturbances and irrational decision making.
Dehydration remedy?
Drink more water.
Early symptoms of dehydration?
Drying of the nasal passages and a prickly sensation in the eyes.
How long after a blood donation does CASA recommend you stay on the ground for?
24 hours
What can a blood donation cause in individuals?
Tiredness and a lowering of blood pressure.
What does smoking cause in individuals and why?
Moderate to heavy smoker is effectively several thousand feet higher than his/her actual level suffering the effects of Hypoxia. This is because the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity. Effects include reduced visual sensitivity and reduced mental alertness.