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Aeromedical Factors

Aeromedical Factors
Aeromedical Factors

Objective: the student will be introduced to new topics regarding aeromedical factors and a review of some.

Completion Standards: The student will be able to understand how to get a medical and what if you can’t, Hypoxia, hyperventilation, and many others. The student will also be able to understand the limits of alcohol and drugs. The student will also be able to explain DCS.

References: PHAk ch 17, FAA safety, part 91, 61,

Equipment: White Board and markers, iPad/ computer 

IP’s Actions:

  • Assess student

  • State the objective and completion standards

  • Writes down references

  • Provide attention getter

  • Present content

  • Assessment

  • Assign Homework

SP’s Actions:

  • Take notes

  • Ask Questions

Introduction: 

(Attention Getter) : Lets talk about more aero factors besides disorientation/illusions.

Motivation: (Discuss purpose for lesson and relate to Attention getter)

Overview:

  1. How to obtain a medical (part 61)

  2. If Unable To Obtain a Medical! (Part 67.401)

  3. How to obtain  a medical with a deficiency (67.407)

  4. Aeromedical Factors

  5. Alcohol

  6. Drugs

  7. DCS (Decompression Sickness)

Content:

How to obtain a medical (part 61)

  • issued after a routine medical examination which by administered only by FAA-designated doctors called Aviation Medical Examiners (AME)

    • directory

If Unable To Obtain a Medical! (Part 67.401)

  • SODA- Statement of Demonstrated Ability

    • Whose disqualifying condition is static or nonprogressive and who has been found capable of performing airman duties without endangering public safety.

    • Is valid as long as the physical impairment does not worsen.

    • Does not expire 

  • Special Issuance Authorization

    • A special issuance is a discretionary issuance by the FAA Federal Air Surgeon

    • Requires satisfactory completion of special testing determined by the FAA 

    • To demonstrate that an airman is safe to fly 

    • For the duration of the medical certificate issued.


How to obtain  a medical with a deficiency (67.407)

  • If denied

    • Appeal process,

      • Within 30 days of denial you may apply for reconsideration.

      • SODA/ Special issuance.


Aeromedical Factors

  • Hypoxia

    • Types

      • Hypoxic hypoxia

        • A result of insufficient oxygen available to the body as a whole.

        • Lack of oxygen

      • Hypemic Hypoxia

        • when the blood is not able to take up and transport a sufficient amount of oxygen to the cells in the body.

        • Not enough Blood

        • Caused by anemia

          • Lower red cell count

          • Hemoglobin is unable to transport oxygen

        • CO poisoning 

      • Stagnant hypoxia

        • Not flowing

        • Oxygen rich blood doesn’t move 

        • Leg/ Arm falling asleep

      • Histotoxic hypoxia

        • Normal oxygen transport

        • Unable to make use of it

        • Alcohol induced

          • One ounce can increase physiological altitude (2,000’)

    • Symptoms

      • Cyanosis (blue fingernails and lips)

      • Headache

      • Decreased response to stimuli and increased reaction time

      • Impaired judgment

      • Euphoria

        • Most dangerous

        • May feel like normal

      • Visual impairment

      • Drowsiness

      • Lightheaded or dizzy sensation

      • Tingling in fingers and toes

      • Numbness

    • Treatment

      • Reduce altitude

      • Time of useful consciousness


  • Hyperventilation

    • Is the excessive rate and depth of respiration 

    • Leading to abnormal loss of carbon dioxide from the blood

    • Symptoms

      • Visual impairment

      • Unconsciousness

      • Lightheaded or dizzy sensation

      • Tingling sensations

      • Hot and cold sensations

      • Muscle spasms

    • Treatments

      • Restoring the proper carbon dioxide level in the body

      • Slowing breathing

      • Talking out loud

      • Breathing into a paper bag

  • Middle ear sinus problems

    • During climbs and descents, the free gas formerly present in

      • Various body cavities expands due to a difference between

      • The pressure of the air outside the body and that of the air inside the body

    • Middle ear

      • A small cavity located in the bone of the skull

      • Tube going to ear for pressure

        • Eustachian tube


  • Climbs/ Descents

    • Explain

  • Valsolvic maneuver 

  • Spatial Disorientation

  • Motion Sickness

    • Caused by the brain receiving conflicting messages

    • Symptoms

      • Include general discomfort, 

      • Nausea, 

      • Dizziness,

      • Paleness, 

      • Sweating, 

      • Vomiting

    • Treatment

      • Shorter flights

      • Fresh air

      • Focus on a distant object

  • Carbon Monoxide poisoning

    • Colorless and odorless gas produced by all internal combustion engines

    • Attaching to the hemoglobin in the blood 

      • about 200 times more easily than oxygen

    • 48hrs to dispose of CO

    • Plane can alert you

      • With sticker

      • Pfd

  • Stress

    • Categories

      • Acute

        • Immediate threat

          • Fight or Flight

        • Can turn to chronic

      • Chronic

        • Defined as a level of stress that presents an intolerable burden, exceeds the ability of an individual to cope, and causes individual performance to fall sharply

        • Consult a doctor 

  • Fatigue

    • Categories

      • Acute

        • Short term and is a normal occurrence in everyday living.

        • Lack of sleep *8hrs*

        • Skill fatigue

          • Timing disruption

          • Disruption of perceptual field

        • Causes

          • Mild hypoxia (oxygen deficiency)

          • Physical stress

          • Psychological stress

          • Depletion of physical energy resulting from psychological stress

          • Sustained psychological stress

      • Chronic

        • extending over a long period of time, 

          • usually has psychological roots 

          • underlying disease is sometimes responsible

        • High Stress

        • Long time similar to ^^^

  • Dehydration

    • Critical loss of water from the body

      • signs of dehydration

        • headache, 

        • fatigue, 

        • cramps, 

        • sleepiness, and 

        • dizziness

    • Drink Water


Alcohol

  • Alcohol impairs the efficiency of the human body.

    • Can remain for 16 hours

  • Consuming alcohol is closely linked to performance deterioration

    • Impaired judgment

    • Reduced reaction time

    • Spatial disoriented

  • BOC

    • .04 per part 91

    • .08 for states

  • 8 hrs before flight

    • 12 hrs for riddle



Drugs

No medication regulations

  • Part 61.53

    • Prohibits acting as PIC or crew member while:

      • Knows of medical condition that may be unable to meet medical certification

      • Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation

  • Part 91.17

    • Prohibits the use of any drug that affects the person’s faculties in any way contrary to safety

OCM (Over the Counter Medication)


DCS (Decompression Sickness)

  • Altitude induced decompression sickness

    • Exposure to low barometric pressures

      • Cause gasses to normally release nitrogen

    • Forms of bubbles

  • Joint pain from rapidly moving bubbles

    • Bends

  • Treatments

    • Use 100% O2

    • Emergency descent

      • Seek medical help

    • Hyperbaric chamber (MLB)

Scuba Diving

  • Wait Times for flights

    • Up to 8,000 feet

      • 12 hours after diving without a controlled accent

      • If a controlled accent is required

        • 24 hours

    • Above 8,000 feet

      • 24hrs regardless of type of scuba diving



IMSAFE checklist

Ask student to give the letters

With some helpt

I - Illness M - Medication. S - Stress A - Alcohol F - Fatigue E – Emotion


Conclusion

  1. How to obtain a medical (part 61)

  2. If Unable To Obtain a Medical! (Part 67.401)

  3. How to obtain  a medical with a deficiency (67.407)

  4. Aeromedical Factors

  5. Alcohol

  6. Drugs

  7. DCS (Decompression Sickness)


(Questions to assess student)

What is hypoxia? And Types?

What are the symptoms?

What is DCS?

What is important to know about alcohol and drugs?


HW: 

Look over Ch17 of PHAK and read the safe meds.


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