Aviat Space Envir Md
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Sep 2009
Airway intubation in a helicopter cabin: video vs. direct laryngoscopy in manikins.
Airway management may be required during medical evacuation in a helicopter when patients deteriorate en route. Laryngoscopist positioning at the head of the patient may not be possible, making it difficult to perform direct laryngoscopy (DIR). An alternative method is video laryngoscopy (VID) that displays magnified images of the glottic opening on a video monitor and allows intubation despite nonstandard positioning. ⋯ The success rate for difficult airway intubation by aeromedical personnel in a power-off evacuation helicopter was significantly improved by enhancing glottic visualization using VID vs. DIR in a manikin.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Sep 2009
GuidelineMedical certification for pilots of commercial suborbital spaceflights.
The Aerospace Medical Association convened a Working Group on October 31, 2008, with the objective of preparing a position statement on medical certification for pilots of commercial suborbital flights. The discussion concerned two areas: medical standards and the content of the medical examination. The Working Group found that the current medical standards for the Federal Aviation Administration Class I certificate were reasonable for crews flying suborbital profiles. It further recommended that the medical examination include a history and physical examination as well as urinalysis, hemoglobin/hematocrit, hemoglobin A1c, and ECG.