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.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Jun 2009
Clinical TrialPersonal CO2 scrubbing device for use in a disabled submarine.
In the sunken submarine, a breakdown in the power supply can disrupt the provision of fresh air and the absorption of CO2. A personal device based on a breathing mask and the soda lime canisters used in the submarine is proposed for CO2 absorption. ⋯ The personal carbon dioxide absorption device lowered the ambient CO2 level over a period of 24 h, and could maintain this level for a further 24 h. Keeping CO2 at a low level has an advantage over the peaks of 3% obtained with absorbent LiOH curtains, where elevated pressure and increased P(CO2) may have an adverse effect on the survivors. Some of the crew can remain active without using the device, while the others do the job of clearing the carbon dioxide for the whole crew.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · May 2009
Long-duration head-down bed rest: project overview, vital signs, and fluid balance.
Spaceflight has profound effects on the human body. Many of these effects can be induced with head-down bed rest, which has been a useful ground-based analog. With limited resources aboard the International Space Station for human research, the bed rest analog will be a primary platform on which countermeasures will be developed and tested for lunar and Mars mission scenarios. ⋯ The following reports describe multi-disciplinary results from the standard measurements by which the responses to bed rest will be assessed and by which countermeasures will be evaluated. The data presented in this overview are meant to serve as a context in which to view the data presented in the discipline specific manuscripts. The dietary support and behavioral health papers provide additional information regarding those aspects of implementing bed rest studies successfully.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · May 2009
Functional assessment of the cervical spine in F-16 pilots with and without neck pain.
Spinal symptoms in fighter pilots are a serious aeromedical problem. The most common neck complaints are muscular pain and strain. The aim of the current study was to determine possible differences in the cervical range of motion (CROM), neck position sense, and neck muscle strength between pilots with and without neck pain. ⋯ In the current study we screened for different motor skills so that deficits could be detected and retraining programs could be implemented when necessary. According to our results, individual retraining programs might reduce neck pain and therefore a well-instructed training program to maintain a proper active CROM should be implemented. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of this kind of program.