Hyperventilation & Hypoxia

Question 1

What does hyperventilation mean?

Answer 1

Hyperventilation means over breathing in or breathing out at a rate in excess of that required, to remove carbon dioxide

Question 2

What happens to the breathing rate when the brain detects a rise in C02?

Answer 2

Increase the breathing rate to reduce level of C02 in the blood

Question 3

If we suffer from some psychological distress such as fear we may start too breath too quickly this will result the blood to become?

Answer 3

Alkaline

Question 4

Can hypoxia cause hyperventilation?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

What are some signs and symptoms of hypoxia?

Answer 5

Tingling
Stiffening/spasm
Visual disturbances
Hot or cold feelings
Anxiety
Impaired performance
Loss of consciousness

Question 6

At what altitude should you give hypoxia the benefit of the doubt? And what should you do to cure?

Answer 6

At altitudes above 10,000ft you should give hypoxia the benefit of the doubt and should use oxygen and/or reduce altitude immediately.

Question 7

In relation to someone suffering from hyperventilation in altitudes less than 10,000ft you should?

Answer 7

Try and relax.
Concentrate on breathing slowly.
Breathe in and out of a paper bag.

Question 8

You’re doing great keep going

Answer 8

You got this

Question 9

What is hypoxia?

Answer 9

Hypoxia is term used to describe when there is insufficient amounts of oxygen to the to the tissues or in other words lack of oxygen

Question 10

What are some classifications of hypoxia?

Answer 10

Hypoxic hypoxia (main concern for pilots)
Anaemic or Hypemic Hypoxia
Stagnant Hypoxia
Histotoxic Hypoxia

Question 11

What is Hypemic Hypoxia?

Answer 11

This type of hypoxia occurs when there is a decrease in red blood cells (RBCs) available for 02 transport.

Question 12

What is Hypoxic Hypoxia?

Answer 12

Hypoxia is a condition due to insufficient oxygenation of the blood at the lungs due to decreased partial pressure of oxygen in the alveoli. This is because the oxygen returning to the heart from the lungs contains insufficient amounts of 02 for the tissues

Question 13

What is stagnant hypoxia?

Answer 13

This condition occurs when there are heart or circulatory problems. Blood may have normal haemoglobin and oxygen levels but poor circulation results in less oxygen reaching the tissues.

Question 14

At what altitudes (multiple) does the affect of hypoxia become noticeable?

Answer 14

• At 8,000ft its possible to observe signs of mental impairment.
• At about 14,000 ft with no oxygen performance may be poor
• By 18,000 ft the PP02 is about half of the of sea level and some people may be unconscious.

Question 15

Are smokers more at risk of hypoxia?

Answer 15

Yes, people who smoke will have less oxygen, circulation through their body system due to haemoglobin rather carry carbon monoxide than oxygen.

Question 16

Classical signs and symptoms of hypoxia?

Answer 16

• Euphoria and personality change.
• Muscular impairment
• Memory impairment, short term memory is lost early
• Impaired judgement
• Cyanosis, skin becomes pale and the finger nail beds, lips and ears become blueish
• Impairment of consciousness

Question 17

What is time of useful consciousness (TUC)?

Answer 17

This refers to the time available for the pilot to recognise the development of hypoxia and do something about it. This time doesn’t meant to loss of consciousness but rather the amount of time the pilot has before the pilot can no longer take the necessary steps to help himself.

Question 18

What is the time period of TUC?

Answer 18

This time period is typically

• 30mins at 18,000 ft
• 2-3 mins at 25,000ft
• 45-75 seconds at 30,000ft
• 20-30 seconds at 40,000ft
• 12 -15 seconds at 45,000ft

Question 19

For the pilot to protect himself and keep himself away from suffering from hypoxia the pilot should be aware of?

Answer 19

• Altitude, the greater the altitude the greater the hypoxia and more rapid of progression meaning less TUC.
• Time, The longer the time the greater the effects
• Exercise, altitude increases the demand for oxygen, the healthier the pilot the slightly less susceptible he is to hypoxia.
• Cold, makes it necessary for the body to generate more energy to keep the body warms, which requires more oxygen and hence increases risk of hypoxia
• Illness – increases the energy demands of body, increases oxygen, increases risk of hypoxia
• fatigue
• stress
• drugs and alcohol
• smoking
• g force exposure, high g reduces circulation and cardiac efficiency

Question 20

Methods of dealing with hypoxia?

Answer 20

• Provide an adequate supply of oxygen

- Descend immediately

Question 21

What is high decompression?

Answer 21

Rapid decrease in pressure due to loss of pressurization

Question 22

Symptoms of slow decompression?

Answer 22

Slow decompression passengers and/ or pilots may not notice. But progressive symptoms are such as drowsiness, yawning, euphoria, sleep, unconsciousness, coma and eventually death.

Question 23

What are the actions that should be made when decompression symptoms are beginning to exist?

Answer 23

• Put on oxygen mask

- Emergency descent

Question 24

What altitude are you at risk of night Hypoxia?

Answer 24

4,000ft