Aviat Space Envir Md
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Apr 2011
Historical ArticleHistory of suborbital spaceflight: medical and performance issues.
The development of manned sub-orbital commercial space vehicles is rapidly occurring and flight testing followed by operational flights will soon begin. The experience of manned suborbital spaceflight at the designated altitude (100 km/62.14 mi) is very limited--two Mercury-Redstone flights, two X-15 flights, one inadvertent Soyuz launch abort, and three recent SpaceShipOne flights, with only 15 min of critical flight time each. ⋯ Vertigo on transition from the boost phase to weightlessness was reported on most high-altitude X-15 flights. +Gz tolerance to re-entry deceleration forces (as high as 6 + Gz) after 4 min of weightlessness is still unknown. Only further suborbital spaceflight experience will clarify if pilot performance will be affected.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Feb 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyRespiratory function in hoist rescue: comparing slings, stretcher, and rescue basket.
Some types of equipment used in helicopter hoist rescue have the potential to cause respiratory embarrassment due to chest compression and/or body positioning. This study compared the respiratory effects of four commonly used devices. ⋯ The RB was not associated with any change in measured outcomes. Other methods tested, especially SSling, have detrimental effects on respiratory function.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Feb 2011
Evaluation of a novel basic life support method in simulated microgravity.
If a cardiac arrest occurs in microgravity, current emergency protocols aim to treat patients via a medical restraint system within 2-4 min. It is vital that crewmembers have the ability to perform single-person cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during this period, allowing time for advanced life support to be deployed. The efficacy of the Evetts-Russomano (ER) method has been tested in 22 s of microgravity in a parabolic flight and has shown that external chest compressions (ECC) and mouth-to-mouth ventilation are possible. ⋯ The ER method can provide adequate depth and rate of ECC in simulated microgravity for 3 min to allow time to deploy a medical restraint system. There is, however, a physiological cost associated with it and a need to use the flexion of the arms to compensate for the lack of weight.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Jan 2011
Exit strategies and safety concerns for machinery occupants following ice failure and submersion.
Of all drownings, 5 to 11% occur in submerged vehicles. Winter road workers are at high risk for vehicle submersion because they drive heavy vehicles over ice. ⋯ Results suggest that a heavy vehicle will sink before surface exit is possible. Occupants would, therefore, be forced to breath-hold and make an underwater exit through a window, door, or roof hatch. Front-mounted external flotation devices on a light truck increased floating time and the possibility of exit while still on the surface.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Nov 2010
Flight diversions due to onboard medical emergencies on an international commercial airline.
Each year, close to 2 billion passengers travel on commercial airlines. In-flight medical events result in suboptimal care due to a variety of factors. Flight diversions due to medical emergencies carry a significant financial and legal cost. The purpose of this study was to determine the causes of in-flight medical diversions from Air Canada. ⋯ Medical conditions most commonly leading to diversions were cardiac, neurological, gastrointestinal, and syncope. Our study showed that a decrease in telemedicine contact during this period was accompanied by an increase in diversions, while increased pre-screening of passengers did not prove effective in decreasing diversion rates.