Hyperventilation is a condition characterized by excessive and rapid breathing, resulting in the abnormal loss of carbon dioxide from the blood.
Symtoms:
This issue is more common among pilots than widely recognized and, while it rarely leads to complete incapacitation, it can cause unsettling symptoms that may alarm uninformed pilots.
Hyperventilation can potentially lead to unconsciousness as the body’s respiratory system strives to regain control of breathing, especially in unexpected stressful situations.
Typical symptoms include:
- visual impairment
- unconsciousness
- dizziness
- tingling sensations
- temperature sensations
- muscle spasms.
Treatment:
The treatment for hyperventilation involves restoring the proper carbon dioxide level in the body, with normal breathing being the best preventive measure and remedy.
Slowing the breathing rate, breathing into a paper bag, or speaking aloud can also aid in overcoming hyperventilation, with recovery typically being swift once normal breathing is resumed.
Stress is the body’s response to physical and psychological demands. It triggers the release of hormones like adrenaline and increases metabolism. Various physiological changes occur, including elevated heart rate and blood pressure.
- Stress Response
- Stress is the body’s reaction to physical and psychological demands.
- It involves the release of hormones like adrenaline and increased metabolic activity.
- Various physiological parameters like blood sugar, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and perspiration are affected.
- Stressors, such as physical stress (noise), physiological stress (fatigue), and psychological stress (work or personal issues), can trigger stress.
- Types of Stress
- Stress can be categorized into two main types: acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term).
- Acute stress results from immediate threats, initiating the “fight or flight” response.
- Normally, individuals can manage acute stress and prevent stress overload.
- However, persistent acute stress can evolve into chronic stress.
- Chronic Stress
- Chronic stress represents an overwhelming level of stress exceeding an individual’s coping capacity.
- It causes a significant decline in performance and can result from ongoing psychological pressures.
- Stressors may include loneliness, financial concerns, and relationship or work-related problems.
- Pilots experiencing chronic stress are not safe to operate aircraft and should refrain from doing so.
- Consultation with a physician is advisable for those suspecting chronic stress.
- Fatigue Effects
- Fatigue is linked to pilot errors and leads to reduced attention, coordination, and communication.
- It impairs decision-making abilities.
- Physical fatigue results from sleep loss, exercise, or physical work, while mental fatigue arises from factors like stress and prolonged cognitive work.
- Types of Fatigue
- Similar to stress, fatigue can be classified as acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
- Acute fatigue is normal and occurs after strenuous efforts, excitement, or lack of sleep, but it can be alleviated with rest.
- Skill fatigue, a form of acute fatigue, disrupts timing and perceptual focus during tasks, reducing performance.
- Causes of Acute Fatigue
- Causes of acute fatigue for pilots include mild hypoxia (oxygen deficiency), physical stress, psychological stress, energy depletion from stress, and sustained psychological stress.
- Proper diet, rest, and sleep can prevent acute fatigue.
- Chronic Fatigue
- Chronic fatigue is long-lasting and often has psychological origins but may also result from underlying diseases.
- Continuous high-stress levels can lead to chronic fatigue, which is not relieved by diet and rest.
- It can manifest as weakness, tiredness, palpitations, breathlessness, headaches, or irritability and may even cause physical problems.
- Chronic fatigue can lead to emotional illness when severe.
- Managing Fatigue
- Remote pilots suffering from acute fatigue should not operate small UAs.
- Adequate rest is the only prevention for fatigue.
- Avoid flying a small UA without sufficient rest, after excessive work hours, or following an exhausting or stressful day.
- Those suspecting chronic fatigue should seek medical advice.
- Dehydration Causes and Signs
- Dehydration is the result of a critical loss of water from the body.
- Causes include hot temperatures, wind, humidity, and diuretic drinks like coffee, tea, alcohol, and caffeinated soft drinks.
- Signs of dehydration include headache, fatigue, cramps, sleepiness, and dizziness.
- Effects of Dehydration
- Dehydration leads to fatigue, impairing physical and mental performance.
- Flying small UAs in hot conditions or at high altitudes increases susceptibility to dehydration.
- Preventing Dehydration
- To prevent dehydration, it’s recommended to consume two to four quarts of water every 24 hours.
- The thirst mechanism typically activates with a 1.5-quart deficit or a 2 percent loss of total body weight.
- Steps to prevent dehydration include measuring daily water intake, proactively staying hydrated, and reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption, as they increase urine production.
Heatstroke is a condition where the body loses its ability to control its temperature, and it can sometimes be identified by symptoms of dehydration or, in extreme cases, by a person collapsing.
Preventing Heatstroke:
To prevent heatstroke, it’s crucial to maintain hydration by drinking water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
The body typically absorbs water at a rate of 1.2 to 1.5 quarts per hour, and in severe heat stress conditions, one quart per hour is recommended, while in moderate stress conditions, one pint per hour should be consumed.
Pilots are prohibited from acting as Pilot in Command (PIC) if they are aware of any medical condition or are taking medication that makes them unable to meet the requirements for the necessary medical certificate.
Both 14 CFR part 107 and 14 CFR part 91 have sections (91.17 and 91.19) that prohibit the use of any drug affecting a person’s faculties in a manner contrary to safety.
There are thousands of FDA-approved medications, excluding over-the-counter drugs, with the potential for adverse side effects. The FAA regularly reviews data to ensure aviation-duty medications do not pose safety risks.
Commonly used over-the-counter drugs like antihistamines and decongestants may cause noticeable side effects, including drowsiness.
Prior to every flight, pilots must perform a physical self-assessment using the IMSAFE checklist (Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion).
Regarding medication, pilots should assess whether any medicine might impact their judgment or cause drowsiness. For new medications, pilots should wait at least 48 hours after the first dose before flying to ensure no adverse effects. Pilots should also consider factors like balanced meals, hydration, snacks, adequate sleep, and physical fitness to ensure safety.
Alcohol has a significant negative impact on the human body and is closely linked to performance deterioration in pilots.
Making hundreds of critical decisions during a flight is essential for safety. Even small amounts of alcohol impair judgment, responsibility, coordination, vision, memory, reasoning, and attention span.
Just one ounce of alcohol can slow reflexes, reduce eye movement efficiency, and increase errors. Visual and auditory impairments can occur after just one drink.
Pilots experiencing a hangover are still influenced by alcohol, with motor and mental impairment present. Significant amounts of alcohol can remain in the body for over 16 hours, so flying shortly after drinking is risky.
Intoxication is determined by blood alcohol level, usually measured as a percentage by weight in the blood.
- 14 CFR part 91 mandates that blood alcohol levels be less than .04 percent and requires an 8-hour gap between alcohol consumption and piloting an aircraft.
- Pilots with a blood alcohol level of .04 percent or higher after 8 hours cannot fly until it falls below that limit.
