Pilot Medical Drugs & Scuba Diving Flashcards

(52 cards)

1
Q

What conditions would disqualify an applicant from holding a medical certificate?

A
  • A physical disability that could impair pilots performance during flight such as poor vision which cannot be correct by glasses or very poor hearing
  • A condition which could lead to sudden incapacitation such as stroke, heart attack, or a fit
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2
Q

What is a DAME?

A

Designated Aviation Medical Examiners

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3
Q

What is the validity of a student/ private medical certificate?

A
  • 4 years if under 40 years old

- 2 years if over 40 years old

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4
Q

What is the validity of a commercial medical certificate?

A
  • 1 year
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5
Q

What does heavy drinking damage?

A
  • Liver
  • Heart
  • Brain
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6
Q

What slows the absorption of alcohol into the blood?

A

Fatty foods in the stomach

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7
Q

is alcohol a depressant?

A

Yes

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8
Q

What are the initial effects of alcohol?

A
  • Sense of euphoria
  • False impression that performance is above average when in fact it is slowed and judgement is impaired
  • Slurred speech
  • Unsteadiness on feet
  • Loss of inhibitions noticed by others but not the person intoxicated
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9
Q

Does anything change the rate that alcohol is removed from the body?

A

No

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10
Q

How much alcohol is disposed of through expiration (breath), perspiration, and via the kidneys through urine?

A

10%

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11
Q

What is the rate of metabolism of alcohol?

A

Man
- One standard drink per hour

Woman
- Less than the above

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12
Q

How long can alcohol still be present in the brain cells after drinking?

A
  • 24 hours after heavy drinking
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13
Q

What are hangover symptoms?

A
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Gastritis
  • Thirst
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14
Q

What are some long-term effects of alcohol consumption and lifestyle associated?

A
  • Cancer of the mouth, oesophagus, and stomach

- Damage to heart and liver

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15
Q

What does CAR 256 stipulate?

A

Pilots must demonstrate total abstinence from any alcohol 8 hours before departure

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16
Q

What is the maximum recommended alcohol intake over a period of one week?

A

21- 28 standard drinks for a male

14-21 standard drinks for a female

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17
Q

Can you take illicit drugs?

A

No

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18
Q

Comments on drugs….

Analgesics

A
  • Pain relievers
  • Used for short term pain such as headaches and muscular pain
  • Aspirin
  • Codeine
  • Paracetamol
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19
Q

Information about Aspirin…

A
  • Can cause stomach upset

- If taken in excess can cause internal bleeding and kidney problems

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20
Q

Information about Codeine…

A
  • Can be addictive

- Can cause constipation

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21
Q

Information about Paracetamol…

A
  • Taken in excess can cause damage to the liver and kidneys
22
Q

What medications can show up on opiates CASA test and should be declared?

A
  • Panadeine
  • Codis
  • Codral cold and flu
  • Nurofen plus
23
Q

Comments on drug…

Antihistamines

A
  • Used to help clear up congestion associated with colds, flu, and sinus problems
  • Main side effect is drowsiness and degraded performance
  • Not to be used whilst flying
24
Q

Comment on drug…..

Ephedrine

A
  • Found in nasal sprays
  • Can be incompatible with other medications especially blood pressure medications
  • Excessive use of nasal sprays can lead to damage and irritation of nasal tissue
  • Some preparations used in ear, nose and throat surgery can contain cocaine
25
Comment on drug... Stimulants, Amphetamines and caffeine
- Amphetamines are illegal; they are used as pep pills. Side effects include short temperedness, disorientation, fits of anxiety, overconfidence, and headaches - Dexamphetamine is a legal medication for ADHD and any medication containing this will test positive in CASA DAMP test
26
Comment on Drugs... Antibiotics
- Should have no determinantal effect on pilots ability to carry out operation safely - However, some individuals may have an allergic reaction - Side effects may include diarrhea - If you have never taken type of antibiotic before allow 24 hours before flying to ensure you have no adverse reaction
27
Comment on drug... Tranquilizers
- Used to treat anxiety or tension - Never use without medical consultation - Effectiveness diminishes with continued use - Habit-forming - Side effects include drowsiness, dizziness and increased susceptibility to alcohol
28
Comment on drug... Sedatives
- Treats sleep disorders - Never use without medical consultation - Side effects include drowsiness, blurred vision, headaches and skin irritations - Can be long-acting and produce a hangover effect - Habit-forming
29
Comment on drug.... Blood pressure medication
- High or low blood pressure can be a reason for disqualification of medical - Must consult DAME
30
What is hyperventilation?
State of over-breathing usually brought about by fear, excitement or anxiety
31
What can you feel when hyperventilating?
- Panicky feeling | - Feeling of suffocation that leads to deep rapid breathing
32
What is happening when you are hyperventilating?
Exhaling too much carbon dioxide and there is a reduction in the acidity of the blood
33
What does loss of carbon dioxide cause?
- Lightheadedness - Dizziness - Sweating - Rapid heartbeat - Tingling or numbness of hands and feet - Sometimes fainting
34
How to treat hyperventilation?
Slow down the breathing rate
35
By 18,000ft how much has atmospheric pressure dropped?
By one half of its sea-level pressure
36
A diver at 30ft below the surface is subject to how much pressure compared to mean sea level?
Twice the amount of pressure
37
Where does nitrogen ten to accumulate in the body?
Within the blood and soft tissue
38
What happens with nitrogen when a diver ascends too quickly to the surface?
- Nitrogen comes out of solution like bubbles of a soft drink - Common effects include stiffness in joints and rheumatic like pains in muscles - If the bubbles form in the spinal chord or brain, tingling sensations or paralysis may occur
39
What can happen if the ascending diver panics and holds breath while ascending?
- Expanding air can rupture the delicate lung tissue forcing air into the bloodstream - Rising quickly to the brain the air-contaminated blood can cause unconsciousness and death - This is called decompression sickness or the bends
40
How can you get relief from symptoms of decompression sickness?
- Recompression | - Either by going to deep water or in recompression (hyperbaric) chamber
41
If a diver goes flying immediately after diving at what height can decompression sickness occur?
As low as 8,000ft
42
Rest at sea level required after dive? | - A dive which does not require decompression stops during ascent
4 hours
43
Rest at sea level required after dive? | - A dive which does require decompression stops during ascent but is less than 4 hours
12 hours
44
Rest at sea level required after dive? | - A dive which does require decompression stops during ascent and is longer than 4 hours
48 hours
45
How long can alcohol remain in the blood for?
14 hours
46
How long can alcohol remain in the brain cells for?
24 hours
47
Alcohol belongs to the family of drugs called....
Depressants
48
Alcohol changes the specific gravity of fluid in the inner ear which causes dizziness and also loss of hearing sensitivity in the.....
Lower frequency ranges
49
The most dangerous side effect of antihistamines is?
Drowsiness
50
If you have to take sleeping tablets what period before flying should you stop taking them?
24 hours
51
How to alleviate symptoms of hyperventilation?
Breathe from a paper bag | - Will be rebreathing exhaled breath that is higher in carbon dioxide
52
What drugs can you take without seeing a DAME?
None