Symptoms of Hypoxia
an objective sign of hypoxia observed by crew members characterized by a blue discoloration of the lips and fingernails
What is Cyanosis?
100% oxygen, check your breathing rate, check oxygen equipment, and begin emergency descent
The lowest physical layer of the atmosphere containing virtually all weather, water vapor, and active winds.
What is the Troposphere?
The initial stage of hypoxic hypoxia occurring from sea level to 10,000 feet MSL, where a pilot experiences a 5% to 10% loss of night vision starting at 5,000 feet.
What is the Indifferent Stage?
The atmospheric zone extending from sea level to 10,000 feet where the human body is well-adapted or can naturally adapt.
What is the Physiological zone?
A subjective feeling of false well-being, overconfidence, or cheerfulness experienced during oxygen deprivation.
What is Euphoria?
The toxic gas that causes hypemic hypoxia by binding to red blood cell hemoglobin over 200 times more effectively than oygen
What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
The boundary layer separating the troposphere and stratosphere, characterized by temperature stability at approximately -55 degrees Celsius, or -67 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the Tropopause?
The hypoxia stage between 10,000 feet and 15,000 feet MSL where the body attempts to compensate by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate.
What is the Compensatory Stage?
The zone between 10,000 and 50,00 feet where humans encounter hypoxia, trapped gases, and evolved gases, requiring supplemental oxygen.
What is the Physiological Deficient Zone?
The subjective visual symptom where vision narrows so that only central vision remains clear.
What is Tunnel Vision?
The type of hypoxia caused by pooling or reduced blood flow from high-G forces, tourniquets, heart failure, or prolonged sitting.
What is Stagnant Hypoxia?
The layer extending above the tropopause up to roughly 186,000 feet, containing the protective ozone layer and lacking turbulence.
What is the Stratosphere?
The stage occurring between 15,000 and 20,000 feet MSL characterized by oxygen saturation dropping to 65% o 80%, loss of peripheral vision, and impaired decision-making.
What is the Disturbance Stage?
The zone from 50,000 feet to 120 mils that mandates sealed cabins and pressure suits for human survival.
What is the Space Equivalent Zone?
Three prominent objective mental/behavioral symptoms that crew members can observe in an affected pilot.
What are impaired judgment, mental confusion, increased reaction time, or loss of muscle coordination?
The form of hypoxia resulting from cell poisoning by alcohol, narcotics, or cyanide, which prevents tissues from utilizing available oxygen.
What is Histotoxic Hypoxia?
The maximum height of the troposphere over the Equator compared to its lower altitude above the Poles.
What is 54,000 feet (vs. 24,000 feet at the Poles)?
The severe hypoxia stage spanning 20,000 to 30,000 feet MSL leading rapidly to mental confusion, incapacitation, and unconsciousness.
What is the Critical Stage?
The exact altitude within the Space Equivalent Zone where total ambient pressure drops to 47 mmHg and unpressurized body fluids boil at normal body temperature.
What is 63,000 feet (Armstrong's Line)?
The subjective neurological symptom described as a prickling or "pins and needles" sensation in the extremities.
What is Numbness or Tingling?
Maintaining percentage of oxygen, pressure of oxygen, and the blood/lungs' hemoglobin-oxygen saturation at normal levels
What are the physiological factors required for preventing Hypoxia?
Atmospheric layer containing the jet streams
What is the Stratosphere?
The blood oxygen-hemoglobin saturation range associated with the Compensatory Stage before major physiological degradation sets in.
What is 80% to 87% saturation?
The altitude boundary starting at 120 miles and beyond that requires completely self-contained life support systems.
What is Space?