Aviat Space Envir Md
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The major causes of in-flight fatal incapacitation in civil pilots are acute coronary events, new onset idiopathic epilepsy, and physiological problems. Less than 1% of all air accidents are due to sudden incapacitaion. The problem with acute coronary disease is very serious when occurring during critical stages of the flight, such as takeoff or landing, rather than during the cruising phase. ⋯ The normal aorta contains collagen, elastin, and smooth muscle cells that form the vessel wall. Degenerative changes lead to breakdown of the collagen, elastin, and smooth muscle, and an increase in basophillic ground substance with the formation of cysts and accumulation of mucopolysaccharide. Medical incapacitation in the cockpit is rare. The leading causes of fatal in-flight incapacitation are myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, and epileptic seizures; cystic medial necrosis is very rare and no similar cases were found in the aviation literature.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Aug 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialWorking memory impairment in pilots exposed to acute hypobaric hypoxia.
During an acute hypoxia exposure, impairment of memory is one of the most frequently reported symptoms, either during hypoxia awareness training of aircrews or after an in-flight hypoxic incident. However, the effects of acute hypoxia on memory have been little studied in laboratory-controlled conditions. Moreover, none of these studies were performed in hypobaric conditions. The main aim of our study was to investigate the effects of acute hypobaric hypoxia on working memory (WM). This study also aimed to find links between physiological measurements and cognitive performance during acute hypoxia exposure. ⋯ WM is impaired by acute hypobaric hypoxia. Given the importance of WM in aircraft piloting and its sensitivity to hypoxia, the PASAT, in association with SpO2 and EEG recordings, could improve both hypoxia training and our understanding of the effects of hypoxia on memory.
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Airplane headache is flight-related and appears during airplane landing and/or takeoff without accompanying symptoms. Intracranial and paranasal imaging studies reveal no abnormalities. The etiology is still uncertain, although sinus barotrauma has been proposed as a possible mechanism. ⋯ Sinus barotrauma was thought to be a plausible explanation for the headache in Case 1. In Case 2, an anxiety disorder could be considered as an underlying etiology. The etiology of so-called airplane headache is probably protean and this should be taken into account when assessing cases of in-flight cephalalgia.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Jul 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEscape from a submersible vehicle simulator wearing different thermoprotective flotation clothing.
Winter road workers, who drive heavy vehicles on ice-covered waterways, are at risk for ice failure and subsequent drowning in frigid water. Some workers who are recommended to wear thermoprotective flotation clothing are concerned that buoyancy or bulk may impede underwater exit. ⋯ Results suggest that, compared to Control clothing, flotation Jackets and Overalls do not increase exit time or impede exit during egress from a submerged vehicle while providing thermoprotection and buoyancy in 20 degrees C and 8 degrees C water. The Inflated Vest created the most perceived exit impedance in comparison to Control.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Jul 2013
A novel method to detect heat illness under severe conditions by monitoring tympanic temperature.
We report a new methodology for detecting heat illness based on continuous tympanic temperature monitoring. This is relevant to industrial workers, astronauts, and pilots, as well as athletes. Here we evaluate the method in Grand Touring (GT) car racers in the closed-cockpit category who can face life-threatening hyperthermia. ⋯ The new method was found to perform well in an extreme car racing setting. It has the potential to be used in other applications, including the industrial and aerospace sectors.