Pilot Medical Drugs & Scuba Diving Flashcards
What conditions would disqualify an applicant from holding a medical certificate?
- A physical disability that could impair pilots performance during flight such as poor vision which cannot be correct by glasses or very poor hearing
- A condition which could lead to sudden incapacitation such as stroke, heart attack, or a fit
What is a DAME?
Designated Aviation Medical Examiners
What is the validity of a student/ private medical certificate?
- 4 years if under 40 years old
- 2 years if over 40 years old
What is the validity of a commercial medical certificate?
- 1 year
What does heavy drinking damage?
- Liver
- Heart
- Brain
What slows the absorption of alcohol into the blood?
Fatty foods in the stomach
is alcohol a depressant?
Yes
What are the initial effects of alcohol?
- Sense of euphoria
- False impression that performance is above average when in fact it is slowed and judgement is impaired
- Slurred speech
- Unsteadiness on feet
- Loss of inhibitions noticed by others but not the person intoxicated
Does anything change the rate that alcohol is removed from the body?
No
How much alcohol is disposed of through expiration (breath), perspiration, and via the kidneys through urine?
10%
What is the rate of metabolism of alcohol?
Man
- One standard drink per hour
Woman
- Less than the above
How long can alcohol still be present in the brain cells after drinking?
- 24 hours after heavy drinking
What are hangover symptoms?
- Nausea
- Headache
- Gastritis
- Thirst
What are some long-term effects of alcohol consumption and lifestyle associated?
- Cancer of the mouth, oesophagus, and stomach
- Damage to heart and liver
What does CAR 256 stipulate?
Pilots must demonstrate total abstinence from any alcohol 8 hours before departure
What is the maximum recommended alcohol intake over a period of one week?
21- 28 standard drinks for a male
14-21 standard drinks for a female
Can you take illicit drugs?
No
Comments on drugs….
Analgesics
- Pain relievers
- Used for short term pain such as headaches and muscular pain
- Aspirin
- Codeine
- Paracetamol
Information about Aspirin…
- Can cause stomach upset
- If taken in excess can cause internal bleeding and kidney problems
Information about Codeine…
- Can be addictive
- Can cause constipation
Information about Paracetamol…
- Taken in excess can cause damage to the liver and kidneys
What medications can show up on opiates CASA test and should be declared?
- Panadeine
- Codis
- Codral cold and flu
- Nurofen plus
Comments on drug…
Antihistamines
- Used to help clear up congestion associated with colds, flu, and sinus problems
- Main side effect is drowsiness and degraded performance
- Not to be used whilst flying
Comment on drug…..
Ephedrine
- Found in nasal sprays
- Can be incompatible with other medications especially blood pressure medications
- Excessive use of nasal sprays can lead to damage and irritation of nasal tissue
- Some preparations used in ear, nose and throat surgery can contain cocaine
Comment on drug…
Stimulants, Amphetamines and caffeine
- Amphetamines are illegal; they are used as pep pills. Side effects include short temperedness, disorientation, fits of anxiety, overconfidence, and headaches
- Dexamphetamine is a legal medication for ADHD and any medication containing this will test positive in CASA DAMP test
Comment on Drugs…
Antibiotics
- Should have no determinantal effect on pilots ability to carry out operation safely
- However, some individuals may have an allergic reaction
- Side effects may include diarrhea
- If you have never taken type of antibiotic before allow 24 hours before flying to ensure you have no adverse reaction
Comment on drug…
Tranquilizers
- Used to treat anxiety or tension
- Never use without medical consultation
- Effectiveness diminishes with continued use
- Habit-forming
- Side effects include drowsiness, dizziness and increased susceptibility to alcohol
Comment on drug…
Sedatives
- Treats sleep disorders
- Never use without medical consultation
- Side effects include drowsiness, blurred vision, headaches and skin irritations
- Can be long-acting and produce a hangover effect
- Habit-forming
Comment on drug….
Blood pressure medication
- High or low blood pressure can be a reason for disqualification of medical
- Must consult DAME
What is hyperventilation?
State of over-breathing usually brought about by fear, excitement or anxiety
What can you feel when hyperventilating?
- Panicky feeling
- Feeling of suffocation that leads to deep rapid breathing
What is happening when you are hyperventilating?
Exhaling too much carbon dioxide and there is a reduction in the acidity of the blood
What does loss of carbon dioxide cause?
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
- Tingling or numbness of hands and feet
- Sometimes fainting
How to treat hyperventilation?
Slow down the breathing rate
By 18,000ft how much has atmospheric pressure dropped?
By one half of its sea-level pressure
A diver at 30ft below the surface is subject to how much pressure compared to mean sea level?
Twice the amount of pressure
Where does nitrogen ten to accumulate in the body?
Within the blood and soft tissue
What happens with nitrogen when a diver ascends too quickly to the surface?
- Nitrogen comes out of solution like bubbles of a soft drink
- Common effects include stiffness in joints and rheumatic like pains in muscles
- If the bubbles form in the spinal chord or brain, tingling sensations or paralysis may occur
What can happen if the ascending diver panics and holds breath while ascending?
- Expanding air can rupture the delicate lung tissue forcing air into the bloodstream
- Rising quickly to the brain the air-contaminated blood can cause unconsciousness and death
- This is called decompression sickness or the bends
How can you get relief from symptoms of decompression sickness?
- Recompression
- Either by going to deep water or in recompression (hyperbaric) chamber
If a diver goes flying immediately after diving at what height can decompression sickness occur?
As low as 8,000ft
Rest at sea level required after dive?
- A dive which does not require decompression stops during ascent
4 hours
Rest at sea level required after dive?
- A dive which does require decompression stops during ascent but is less than 4 hours
12 hours
Rest at sea level required after dive?
- A dive which does require decompression stops during ascent and is longer than 4 hours
48 hours
How long can alcohol remain in the blood for?
14 hours
How long can alcohol remain in the brain cells for?
24 hours
Alcohol belongs to the family of drugs called….
Depressants
Alcohol changes the specific gravity of fluid in the inner ear which causes dizziness and also loss of hearing sensitivity in the…..
Lower frequency ranges
The most dangerous side effect of antihistamines is?
Drowsiness
If you have to take sleeping tablets what period before flying should you stop taking them?
24 hours
How to alleviate symptoms of hyperventilation?
Breathe from a paper bag
- Will be rebreathing exhaled breath that is higher in carbon dioxide
What drugs can you take without seeing a DAME?
None
