Transcript Aviation Physiology HELICOPTERS

Aviation Physiology
HELICOPTERS
Terminal Objectives
 Be familiar with the avoidance,
recognition, and treatment of
hypoxia/hyperventilation, aviation related
trapped gas hazards, and decompression
sickness.
Enabling Objectives
1.1 Define hypoxia/hyperventilation.
1.2 Recall four subjective/objective
symptoms of hypoxia.
1.3 State the emergency procedures for a
suspected case of hypoxia.
Enabling Objectives
1.4 State the NATOPS oxygen usage rules.
1.5 State three symptoms of
hyperventilation.
1.6 State the emergency procedures for a
suspected case of hyperventilation.
Enabling Objectives
1.7
Recall the causes, symptoms, and treatment of
an inflight ear block, inflight sinus block,
barodontalgia, and trapped intestinal gas.
1.8 Recall methods for avoiding an inflight ear
block, inflight sinus block, inflight tooth pain,
and trapped gas.
1.9 Define decompression sickness ( DCS)
1.10 State the situations where DCS is likely to
occur.
Enabling Objectives
1.11 Distinguish between Type I and Type II DCS.
1.12 State the symptoms for Type I and Type II
DCS.
1.13 State the NATOPS rules regarding scuba
diving and flying.
1.14 State the emergency treatment for suspected
DCS inflight.
AVIATION PHYSIOLOGY
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HYPOXIA
HYPERVENTILATION
TRAPPED GAS
DECOMPRESSION
SICKNESS
Hypoxia
A Condition That Occurs
When Insufficient Oxygen Is
Supplied To Body Tissues
Causes Of Hypoxia
• Cabin altitude >10K’ without O2
• Loss of cabin pressure (KC-130)
• Anemia (A/C exhaust, blood donation,
smoking, illness)
• Chemical and Biological Warfare
• Blood pooling due to prolonged sitting
during long flights
TYPES OF HYPOXIA
• ANEMIC
• HISTOTOXIC
• STAGNANT
• HYPOXIC
ANEMIC HYPOXIA
• Reduced oxygen carrying
capacity of the blood...
– TRAUMA
– CARBON MONOXIDE
– BLOOD DONATION
ANEMIC HYPOXIA
• Types of toxic substances:
– Aspirin
– Nitrates
– sulfanilamide's
• Reductions due to conditions that effect
red blood cell count:
– Sickle cell anemia
– Malnutrition
– Sepsis
HISTOTOXIC HYPOXIA
• Reduction in the ability of tissues
to utilize oxygen...
– ALCOHOL
– DRUGS
Stagnant Hypoxia
During prolonged
mission flights blood
may begin to pool in
the extremities
Pooling increases,
vision begins to
fade(gray-out).
Blackout occurs due
to a lack of blood to
the brain.
Stagnant Hypoxia
Specific conditions:
Heart failure
Shock
Arterial spasm
Occlusion of blood vessels from tissue edema
Embolus
Thrombus
Plaques
Infarcts
HYPOXIC
HYPOXIA
Sea Level
A REDUCED
AMOUNT OF
OXYGEN IN
THE INSPIRED
GASES
…ALTITUDE
18,000 ft
HYPOXIC HYPOXIA
Reduction of alveolar O2 tension
Interferes with gas exchange in two areas:
Ventilation
Diffusion
Ventilation caused by:
Reduced barometric pressure
Laryngospasm
Severe asthma
Hypoventilation
HYPOXIC HYPOXIA
Reduction of alveolar O2 tension
Interferes with gas exchange in two areas:
Ventilation
Diffusion
Diffusion caused by:
Pulmonary edema
pneumothorax
Pulmonary embolism
Embolism
Congenital heart defects
SUBJECTIVE SYMPTOMS
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Tingling sensation
Dizziness
Fatigue
Air hunger
Euphoria
Hyperventilation
OBJECTIVE SYMPTOMS
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Increased breathing rate
Cyanosis
Confusion
Loss of muscular
coordination
• Unconsciousness
HYPOXIA TREATMENT
• OXYGEN 100%
• CHECK EQUIPMENT
• DESCEND
• COMMUNICATE
• CONTROL BREATHING
HYPERVENTILATION
Excessive rate and/or depth
of breathing resulting in
reduced
CO2 levels in the brain
HYPERVENTILATION
• CAUSES
• STRESS/ANXIEY
• HYPOXIA
• TREATMENT
• Same as Hypoxia
• SYPMTOMS
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Tingling
Rapid Breathing
Hot/Cold Flashes
Visual Impairment
Dizziness
Muscle Spasms
43,000 feet
TRAPPED GAS
• EARS
• SINUSES
• GASTROINTESTINAL
• TEETH
25,000 feet
18,000 feet
10,000 feet
Site level
EAR BLOCK
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Treatment
Ear Block Treatment ( Ascent )
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Yawn
Chew
Swallow
Descend
Ear Block Treatment ( Descent )
 Valsalva…
 Yawn, Chew, Swallow
 Slow descent rate
 Post Flight Ear Block:
 Caused by absorbsion of O2 within the
middle ear
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TREATMENT = Frequent Valsalva
SINUS BLOCK
• CAUSE
• SYMPTOMS
• TREATMENT
FRONTALS
ETHMOIDS
SPHENOID
MAXILLARY
Sinus Block Treatment
• Descend
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Stop descent / Level Off
Valsalva
Slow descent
GI Tract
Trapped Gas
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Prevention /
Treatment
Causes of GI Trapped Gas
 Diet (food and drinks)
 Illness
Trapped Gas Treatment
1. VENT
2. SLOW ASCENT RATE
3. DESCEND
Barodontalgia
 Causes
 Symptoms
 Treatment
Barodontalgia Treatment
 DESCENT
 PREVENTION:
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“Avoid flying for 48-72 hours following
major dental work”
DECOMPRESSION
SICKNESS
• Aviation DCS
Evolved Nitrogen gas
in the body often
attributed to a
decreased atmospheric
pressure. - 18K’
• Type I (Non-Serious)
– Bends
– Skin Manifestations
• Type II (Serious)
– Chokes
– CNS
– Multiple Symptoms
FACTORS AFFECTING DCS
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Scuba diving
Hydration level
Repeated exposures
Length of time at altitude
Rate of ascent
Altitude (18,000ft)
TREATMENT OF DCS
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100% OXYGEN (If Available)
DESCEND
IMMOBILIZE
SEEK QUALIFIED MEDICAL
TREATMENT
• RECOMPRESSION ?
SUMMARY
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HYPOXIA
HYPERVENTILATION
TRAPPED GAS
DECOMPRESSION
SICKNESS