Oxygen Systems Introduction

Question 1

What are three major effects of altitude on the human body?

Answer 1

1) Hypoxia - the deprivation of adequate oxygen supply in the body
2) Decompression Illness (Altitude Sickness) - Dissolved gases form bubbles in the blood due to decrease external pressure
3) Middle Ear Imbalance - Equalization of pressure on either side of the eardrum is blocked

Question 2

What are the percentage volume of gases that make up the earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 2

78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
1% other gases

Question 3

What occurs to pressure as altitude increases?

Answer 3

Decreases

Question 4

What does Boyle’s Law state?

Answer 4

If volume increases, then pressure decreases (Constant Temperature)

Question 5

What does Charles Law mean?

Answer 5

Volume is proportional to temperature at constant pressure

Question 6

What is Dalton’s Law?

Answer 6

Total pressure of a mixture of gases is the sum of the partial pressure of each of the gases.

Question 7

What is Graham’s Law?

Answer 7

Gas will defuse through a membrane from high to low pressure

Question 8

What is Henry’s Law?

Answer 8

The weight of gas in solution is proportional to the partial pressure of the gas above the liquid

Question 9

What occurs in the body at a height of 63,000 feet?

Answer 9

All body fluids will bubble off

Question 10

What is the condition of hypoxia?

Answer 10

Oxygen concentration in the tissues is less than normal

Question 11

As the aircraft climbs, what are some hypoxia conditions that can occur?

Answer 11

• Air pressure and density decreasing
• Lower mass of oxygen taken into the lungs
• Less oxygen spread over alveoli membranes into bloodstream

Question 12

What is the risk of rapid rates of ascent?

Answer 12

Higher altitudes can be reached, leading to unconsciousness before the onset of any of the systems of hypoxia manifest.

Question 13

What are some symptoms of hypoxia?

Answer 13

• Giddiness
• Clumsiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Faulty Judgement

Question 14

What is time of useful consciousness at 18,000 feet?

Answer 14

30 mins

Question 15

What is time of useful consciousness at 25,000 ft?

Answer 15

3 mins

Question 16

What is time of useful consciousness at 40,000 ft?

Answer 16

15 seconds

Question 17

What is a pressure loss called that occurs within seconds?

Answer 17

Rapid Decompression

Question 18

What is a pressure loss called that occurs within milliseconds?

Answer 18

Explosive Decompression

Question 19

What are four distinct forms of decompression illness?

Answer 19

1. Bends (joint problems)
2 Creeps (skin manifestations)
3. Chokes (Respiratory functions)
4. Staggers (Nervous system effects)

Question 20

What is middle ear imbalance?

Answer 20

When equalization of pressure on either side of the eardrum is blocked by a cold or similar infection

Question 21

What health issues can cause middle ear imbalance?

Answer 21

• Common cold
• Hay fever
• Sinusitis
• Tonsilitis

Question 22

How can blocked ears be cleared?

Answer 22

• Holding your nose and blowing hard
• Chewing
• Swallowing
• Yawning

Question 23

Does middle ear imbalance occur on ascent or descent?

Answer 23

Descent

Question 24

What are three things an oxygen system should provide?

Answer 24

1. Storage
2. Distribution
3. Regulation of Oxygen

Question 25

What are three types of Oxygen systems?

Answer 25

1. Gas at high pressure
2. Liquid at low temperature (LOX)
3. OBOGS that used Molecular Sieve Oxygen Concentrators (MSOCs)

Question 26

What is a Continuous Flow Oxygen System and what are they typically used for?

Answer 26

• Deliver pure oxygen to the mask continuously
• Oxygen which is not inhaled is vented along with exhaled breath
• Used for Emergency Oxygen Supply systems due to the short endurance

Question 27

How do Demand-Flow Oxygen Regulators work?

Answer 27

• With regular set to NORMAL OXYGEN, regulator holds back the flow of oxygen until the user inhales
• Pure oxygen is diluted with cabin air each time a breath is drawn.
• Amount of dilution depends on the cabin altitude

Question 28

On a Demand-Flow Oxygen Regulator system, how is 100 percent oxygen selector?

Answer 28

• User can select 100 percent oxygen delivery at any time by turning switch to 100% oxygen.
• Emergency switch also delivers 100% oxygen but in a continuous flow as the demand function is bypassed.

Question 29

For what situations is a supply of emergency oxygen available to each crew member?

Answer 29

• If the main supply fails (operated manually)

- In the event of ejection or bail out (operated automatically)

Question 30

Where are emergency oxygen systems usually attached?

Answer 30

Bottom of the seat

Question 31

What occurs to the body when an airplane decompresses?

Answer 31

• Cabin air escapes
• Lower pressure on the body causes the pilot to suddenly exhale
• Lungs contain less oxygen

Question 32

At what altitude does the human body require supplemental oxygen above? What about oxygen under pressure?

Answer 32

• 10000 feet

- 30 000 feet

Question 33

In a liquid oxygen system, how is the oxygen supply stored ?

Answer 33

• Very high pressure

- Low Temperature

Question 34

Wat is the primary protection against hypoxia in a passenger aircraft?

Answer 34

Cabin Pressurization

Question 35

What are some advantages of the LOX system?

Answer 35

Same supply in half the weight/volume as a gaseous storage system

Question 36

OBOGS produces a gas that consists of approx 95% oxygen and 5% of what other gas?

Answer 36

Argon