R B Rayman — Page 2 | PubMed Health

PubMed1983

Smoke/fumes in the cockpit.

During the period 1970-80, there were reported in USAF 89 incidents of smoke/fumes in the cockpit during flight. The origin of the fumes in most cases was organic petroleum derivatives, which caused a multitude of symptoms including CNS dysfunction and mucous membrane irritation. Flight surgeons should be well-read in aerospace toxicology because of the threat to flying safety posed by the many fluids and substances necessary for the operation of today's modern aircraft.

Accidents, Aviation↗

PubMed1983

Sudden incapacitation: USAF experience, 1970-80.

During the period 1970-80, there were reported 146 cases of in-flight sudden incapacitation in the USAF. Of these, 62 involved pilots, 14 were navigators, and 70 were student pilots. The etiologies of sudden incapacitation included illness without loss of consciousness, loss of consciousness, spatial disorientation, and improper M-1 maneuver. Each of these categories is analyzed with emphasis upon prevention, for example, not flying with symptomatic preexisting disease, continued emphasis upon spatial disorientation training, and correct performance of the M-1 maneuver. Based upon the data, conclusions and recommendations are suggested to minimize the risk of episodes of in-flight sudden incapacitation.

Accidents, Aviation↗

PubMed1983

Decompression sickness: USAF experience 1970-80.

During the period 1970-80, there were 58 cases of decompression sickness in one of its forms reported in USAF aircrewmen. These cases occurred in a number of different types of aircraft in which cabin/cockpit depressurization occurred either intentionally (because of operational requirements) or because of mechanical malfunction. The most common manifestation of decompression sickness was bends, although some airmen experienced various degrees of neurological dysfunction. Even though none of the aircraft was lost or damaged due to crew incapacitation, the threat was clearly there. The authors briefly review decompression sickness including prevention, treatment, and aeromedical disposition.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Hypoxia: USAF experience 1970-1980.

During 1970-80, 298 USAF aircrewmen were reported as having experienced in-flight hypoxia. Although none of the incidents resulted in an aircraft accident, the potential was there in that many of the reported symptoms were incapacitating to some degree. Most often, the cause of the hypoxia incident was due to cockpit/cabin depressurization or some other malfunction of the oxygen system. However, it was sometimes due to poor oxygen discipline. The authors emphasize that, with a thorough preflight inspection of the mask, hose, and connections as well as a PRICE check, the risk of in-flight hypoxia would be significantly reduced.

Accidents, Aviation↗

PubMed1982

Negative transfer: a threat to flying safety.

Negative transfer is defined in the context of this paper as the transfer from one cockpit to another--of different design or configuration--of habits or responses which were appropriate in the former but are inappropriate in the latter, thereby posing a threat to flying safety. This danger has been demonstrated not only experimentally but also in a number of aircraft accident investigation reports. As new aircraft become available to the commercial, military, and private sectors and pilots consequently must transition from older to newer models, the phenomenon of negative transfer becomes increasingly significant. To illustrate the concept of negative transfer and aviation, the author compares the cockpits of two USAF aircraft and how their differences could adversely affect pilot performance. Recommendations are then made on ways organizational flight surgeons can minimize the negative transfer threat to aviation.

Accidents, Aviation↗

PubMed1980

The prolapsed mitral valve syndrome and the flyer.

For the past 15 years there has been an increasing interest in the prolapsed mitral (PMV) syndrome as evidenced by its increasing attention in the literature. Although the syndrome in many of its aspects is still ill-defined, enough is known about it and its possible sequelae--arrhythmias, endocarditis, and sudden death--to signal some concern to flight surgeons. This paper briefly reviews the prolapsed mitral valve syndrome and defines the aeromedical problem which it presents. The author, furthermore, points out that there is a need for prospective studies so that the prognosis of PMV will be better understood. Only in that way will flight surgeons be able to determine more intelligently appropriate aeromedical disposition.

Aerospace Medicine↗

PubMed1979

Sickle cell trait and the aviator.

Sickle cell trait (SCT) for years has been a controversial disorder within the aerospace medicine community. Some authorities consider SCT to be an entirely benign condition without particular significance, at least to moderate altitudes. Others are in disagreement and consider it a serious enough threat that flying duties should be precluded for all individuals with this disorder. These issues are addressed by reviewing SCT, its relationship to altitude, and its risk to aviation. The author concludes that flying organizations must establish their own policy on flying status for individuals with SCT based upon mission peculiarities and the assessment of risk inherent in that mission.

Aerospace Medicine↗

PubMed1978

Bleeding duodenal ulcer and the flier.

Over the years, the aeromedical disposition of aircrew members with bleeding duodenal ulcer has been a vexing problem because two essential questions cannot be categorically answered: Is the risk of rebleeding less with medical or with surgical treatment? In either case, is the risk of rebleeding low enough to permit, with reasonable prudence, the resumption of aircrew duties by the aviator? To try to answer these questions, the author has reviewed a portion of the literature and a number of medical records of patients with bleeding duodenal ulcer. With this information, the author draws his conclusions and offers recommendations for the aeromedical disposition of such aircrewmen.

Aerospace Medicine↗

PubMed1977

Cambodian airlift.

To reduce the presence of U.S. military personnel in Cambodia, the Air Force, in September, 1974, completed negotiations with a civilian contractor to continue the emergency airlift of supplies and ammunition to that country. As the Khmer Rouge threat increased on the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, the airlift was expanded and the supply sorties increased. Because fatigue was a potential medical problem for the crews--they were required to fly excessive hours with little time off between 13 Jan. and 13 March, 1975--a flight surgeon was assigned to the company. The flight surgeon monitored the men by subjective evaluation, several physiological and hematological measurements, and anonymous questionnaires. Although none of the factors correlated with subjective fatigue or performance decrement, recommendations for aircrewmen flying emergency airlift operations in the future were made based upon this unique experience.

Adult↗

PubMed1974