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A New Method for Combined Hyperventilation and Hypoxia Training in a Tactical Fighter Simulator.
- Source :
-
Aerospace medicine and human performance [Aerosp Med Hum Perform] 2022 Sep 01; Vol. 93 (9), pp. 681-687. - Publication Year :
- 2022
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Abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Physiological episodes are an issue in military aviation. Some non-pressure-related in-flight symptoms are proved to be due to hyperventilation rather than hypoxia. The aim of this study was to validate a new training method provoking hyperventilation during normobaric hypoxia (NH) training in an F/A-18 Hornet simulator. METHODS: In a double-blind setting, 26 fighter pilots from the Finnish Air Force performed 2 setups in a WTSAT simulator in randomized order with full flight gear. Without the pilot's knowledge, 6% O₂ in nitrogen or 6% O₂ + 4% CO₂ in nitrogen was turned on. Ventilation (VE) was measured before, during, and after hypoxia. S <subscript>p</subscript> o₂ and ECG were monitored and symptoms documented. The subjects performed a tactical identification flight until they recognized symptoms of hypoxia. Thereafter, they performed hypoxia emergency procedures with 100% O₂ and returned to the base with a GPS malfunction and executed an instrument landing system (ILS) approach with the waterline HUD mode evaluated by the flight instructor on a scale of 1 to 5. RESULTS: Ventilation increased during normobaric hypoxia (NH) from 12 L · min <superscript>-1</superscript> to 19 L · min <superscript>-1</superscript> at S <subscript>p</subscript> o₂ 75% with 6% O₂, and from 12 L · min <superscript>-1</superscript> to 26 L · min <superscript>-1</superscript> at S <subscript>p</subscript> o₂ 77% with 6% O₂ + 4% CO₂. ILS flight performance was similar 10 min after combined hyperventilation and hypoxia (3.1 with 6% O₂ + 4% CO₂ and 3.2 with 6% O₂). No adverse effects were reported during the 24-h follow-up. DISCUSSION: Hyperventilation-provoking normobaric hypoxia training is a new and well-tolerated method to meet NATO Standardization Agreement hypoxia training requirements. Leinonen AM, Varis NO, Kokki HJ, Leino TK. A new method for combined hyperventilation and hypoxia training in a tactical fighter simulator . Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2022; 93(9):681-687.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2375-6322
- Volume :
- 93
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Aerospace medicine and human performance
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 36224739
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.6027.2022