LouDiamond 1 #26 February 26, 2009 QuoteQuote On saturday the aircraft had ascended to 32k feet AGL and was 6 minutes out from the drop time. At this point one of the aircrew members started displaying symptoms of hypoxia that was noticed by 1 of the 3 phys techs on board and fellow aircrew members. Quick question Scott because I don't have this straight: How did that crew member get hypoxia while on air? Or if somehow he wasn't on air, why wasn't he on air after passing above 15K ? Everyone was on oxygen the whole time and had prebreathed for an hour prior, as is required on flights above Flight level 250 before ascending above 10k feet MSL. It is believed that the Air Force aircrew member had either compromised the seal on his mask at some point or that he hyperventilated and that is why he had a Physiological incident. All equipment being used by the aircrew member was tested afterward and found to be working within specification, so equipment malfunction was ruled out. Hyperventilation is simply over breathing, which can be done when using a military grade oxygen mask like the MBU-12. The symptoms of hyperventilation are very similar to hypoxia, but are caused by an abnormally low level of carbon dioxide in the blood. Hyperventilation is a normal human response, that can be controlled voluntarily. Delay in controlling hyperventilation can lead to unconsciousness. Hyperventilation can be caused by: Anxiety, emotions, fear, apprehension, pain, Pressure breathing, hypoxia. The symptoms are the same as hypoxia except that you won't turn blue. Because hypoxia and hyperventilation may be confused or may occur simultaneously, the corrective actions are the same for both. Recognizing and preventing hyperventilation is one of the topics that is discussed when one goes through physiological training at the chamber, which is mandatory for all aircrew members and those personnel ascending above 10k MSL in an unpressurized aircraft. Everyone on the aircraft had received physiological training and held a current HAP card, otherwise they wouldn't have been on the aircraft. This and other topics are also covered again by the Phys tech(s) on the aircraft during the Physiological briefing given before take off, usually after the pilots briefing, any time oxygen is going to be used."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Costyn 0 #27 February 26, 2009 Hey Scott, Thanks for all the technical details. Interesting reading! I hope you guys can try this jump again some day. CheersCostyn van Dongen - http://www.flylikebrick.com/ - World Wide Wingsuit News Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyjester 0 #28 February 27, 2009 See you in july at Marl.don´t pester the jester . . or better: WHY SO SERIOUS ? ? www.pralle-zeiten.de Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
