Enhanced Safety Utilizing Hypoxia Recognition and Recovery Training for Commercial Pilots and Cabin

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Enhanced Safety Utilizing Hypoxia Recognition and
Recovery Training for Commercial Pilots and Cabin
Crew

• Donna Murdoch Ph.D. CAsP
• Human Systems Solutions, Inc.
• Ramon, CA

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• This presentation was funded by Alaska Airlines
• The Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device 2 was
  supplied by Environics, Inc.
• I would like to thank the aircrew members from
  Alaska Airlines who participated in this study
  and Gary Crawley my co-author.

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• HELIOS AIRWAYS FLIGHT HCY522

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SUBJECTS

• Alaska Airlines Aircrew Members
• 13 Pilots (average flight time 6125)
• 7 had previous hypoxia training in an altitude
  chamber
• 3 reported being hypoxic in the aircraft
• 15 Experienced Cabin Crew Members
• 4 had previous hypoxia training in an altitude
  chamber
• 5 reported being hypoxic in the aircraft
• All had a current physical and were qualified to
  fly

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METHODS

• Pilots
• Familiarization training for those with no
  previous hypoxia training
• Up to 4 minutes at 25K ft
• Data collection training run
• 3 minutes at 10K ft , immediately followed by to
  4 minutes at 25K ft
• Each subject performed a simulated flight using a
  desktop simulator with altitude changes, radio
  calls and frequency changes directed by a
  simulated air traffic controller
• Cabin Crew
• Familiarization training for those with no
  previous hypoxia training
• Up to 4 minutes at 25K ft
• Data collection training run
• 3 minutes at 10K ft while performing a simulated
  task requiring light exercise
• Up to 4 minutes at 25K ft while performing a
  seated task simulating their flight duties
• The student was encouraged to treat themselves
  and turn on their emergency oxygen when they felt
  hypoxic but if it became evident that they could
  not they were coached to turn on their oxygen by
  the instructor. The level of coaching was
  recorded.

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All data was collected using the Reduced Oxygen
Breathing Device 2 computer controlled SpO2 and
heart rate monitor mass flow controller
technology mixes nitrogen and air to get the
desired altitude 100 emergency oxygen is
available
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SpO2 Values During Simulation Training
N1
N1
N1
N1
N5
N7
N10
N9
N10
N13
N13
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SpO2 Summary
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COACHING REQUIRED TO TURN ON EMERGENCY OXYGEN
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RESULTS

• Time to termination of training
• Pilots - mean 66 (SD 24, range 0-197) Sec at 25K
• 3 of 13 terminated before 30 Sec at 25K
• Cabin Crew mean 56 (SD 59, range 0-210) Sec at
  25 K
• 2 of 15 terminated at 10K and 4 more terminated
  just after arriving at 25K
• Number feeling they were adequately trained 25
• 3 felt that they needed additional training
• Interval of training required
• 17 thought that training should be given yearly
• 3 felt that it should be given more frequently
  than yearly
• 7 felt that it should be given between 2 and 5
  years
• 1 felt that it should be given once in a career

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Discussion

• Individual tolerances and workloads accounted for
  the wide range of exposure times and SpO2 levels.
• A majority of the aircrew felt that they should
  receive this training at least yearly (20) thus
  indicating how valuable they thought it was.
• A majority of the cabin crew members thought this
  training should be mandatory.

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Conclusion

• Hypoxia recognition and recovery training
  provides another defense against catastrophic
  events resulting from a loss of cabin
  pressurization when all crew members are trained
  and crew coordination procedures are in place.
• This training should be conducted regularly for
  both pilots and cabin crew members.
• A more time sensitive measure of SpO2 should be
  developed.

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QUESTIONS

• Donna Murdoch
• Human Systems Solutions, Inc.
• Murdochd.hss_at_cox.net
• 619-573-7106