Hypoxia and Medicine

what are the implications of Hypoxia on the flight crew?

Public Comments

1. Loss of metal and mobility capabilities, loss of conscious, death
2. The crew has a Time of Useful Consciousness or TUC with different altitudes. The higher you climb the lower the TUC. Hypoxia can cause u to lose consciousness and eventually die from oxygen startvation.
3. Hypoxia sets in at an average of 10,000 ft. At 10,000 feet, there is a definite but undetectable hypoxia. Operation at this altitude for a few hours can cause fatigue because of reduced oxygen supply. At 14,000 feet, there is dimming of vision, tremor of hands, clouding of thought and memory and errors in judgment. Cyanosis (blue discolouring of fingernails) is first noticed. At 16,000 feet, a pilot becomes disoriented, is belligerent or euphoric and lacking rational judgment. Control of plane can be easily lost. At 18,000 feet, primary shock sets in and loses consciousness within minutes At higher altitudes death may result after prolonged period. In the U.S its a rule that an aircraft can be operated for 30 minutes between 10,000 and 12,000 feet before oxygen is required. STAGNANT HYPOXIA is a condition in which there is a temporary displacement of blood in the head. It occurs as a result of positive G forces and can be attributed to the fact that the circulatory system is unable to keep blood pumped to the head.
4. Who was that golf pro who died when his plane suffered just what you described? Payne Stewart?
5. When I went through flight school, part of it centered on the effects of low oxygen on the brain. We went to 30,000 feet in the chamber and as we passed 25,000 feet we began to lose coordination and ability to speak coherently. We didn't understand fully that we were losing it but we were. I remember feeling light headed but did not remember slurring or that my handwriting was beginning to look like chicken scratch. It would be fatal if all of the crew was experiencing Hypoxia at the same time without warning lights or oxygen masks. I need to add that this high altitude experience was done with breathing apparatus nearby and helpers with the oxygen ready to put them on us. It was only a matter of a few minutes from altitude 0 to 30,000 feet
6. Well, the detailed description of the SYMPTOMS of hypoxia at HIGH ALTITUDES was very interesting and informative. Thanx for that bigmike. But I think the question actually asked about the IMPLICATIONS of hypoxia on the flight CREW. The IMPLICATIONS, it seems to me, go more like this.... (plane waivering) WHAT THE...? (plane rolling) AAAAHHH.... (plane spiraling) OH MY GOD... (rapid decent) WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!! (going straight down and spinning) MAYDAY !! MAYDAY!! (ground coming up fast) (lives flashing)... SPLAT!!!!