Human Factors Affecting Hypoxia in Aviation - Research Paper Example

 Human Factors surrounding Hypoxia in Aviation Hypoxia in Aviation Hypoxia causes deficiencies the human system which could lead to visual and cognitive impairment and problems in consciousness. Paucity of oxygen in the environment is mainly responsible for hypoxia and it is also associated with hyper ventilation which means excessive rate and depth of breathing. It could be confused with hypoxia due to similarity of the symptoms. The symptoms in the case of hypoxia generally depend on altitude. Since both can affect a persons’ capacity to function normally, in-flight health administration should take both into account at the same time. Generally, the symptoms of hypoxia are rapid breathing, flaccid muscles and cyanosis. Pickard & Gradwell (2008) state, “With the complexity of the oxygen delivery system, hypoxia at the tissue level may be caused by any of a number of abnormalities in uptake, transport, or utilization” (p. 30). As it happens not only to passengers, but also to pilots and cabin crew, the approach to the issue needs to be systematic. The procedure to adopt in such conditions could be providing supply of oxygen, checking the pressure control systems, steps to ensure normal breathing, bringing down the level of altitude and communicating the issue to the ground station. Hypoxia could be histotoxic (inability of the cells to absorb oxygen), hypemic (reduced ability to carrying oxygen), stagnant (reduced flow of blood) and hypoxic (oxygen pressure at low level). At the same time, prolonged excess oxygen could be toxic. There are systems usually inbuilt in an aircraft for delivery of oxygen at high altitudes to ensure protection from hypoxia. Cabin pressurization system is regulated for entry and exit of air to maintain the requisite pressure. Significance of the Issue in Aviation Federal Aviation Administration (2009) states “Some important medical factors that a pilot should be aware of include hypoxia, hyper ventilation, middle ear and sinus problems, spatial disorientation, motion sickness, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, stress and fatigue, dehydration, and heart stroke” (p. 16-2). Flight schedules, altitude, weather and health of the pilots and cabin crew need coordination of various activities at different levels. Pickard & Gradwell (2008) state that Hypoxia is of physiologic importance anytime human exceeds approximately 3,048 m (10,000 ft) altitude, and aviation systems attempt to maintain oxygen tensions equivalent to 10,000 ft or less. (30, 31) Proper service to the customers and the concern for their comfort and safety ensures sustainable development of the industry in the long run. There are primarily two issues involved in the management of human factors related to aviation. The first is maintenance of the system which includes preflight check-up of the aircraft and equipments in the aircraft including health and fitness of the pilots and other cabin crew. The altitude being an important and crucial factor relating to hypoxia, coordination with reference to the flying time, altitude, oxygen delivery system in the aircraft and weather conditions is very important. The next important issue is precautions and check-ups relating to flight control within the aircraft and it includes flow of oxygen at the time of need, its optimum usage considering ventilation aspects, mixture of oxygen to the required extent, availability and the conditions of the masks and hoses for emergency with reference to fitness and leakage, availability of pressure suits if required and maintenance of temperature. This calls for efficient management of the human factors involved in planning and control. Literature Review Working in the case of pilots and travelling in the case of passengers for a very long time in sedentary position under high altitude conditions involves many health hazards. Simons (2002) states that  immobility, cramped seating conditions, sleep and drowsiness, as occur in passengers on long-haul flights, may hinder proper respiratory activities and pre-flight preparation of passengers with respiratory disease should also address proper seating, body position while sleeping, ventilation exercises, abstaining from alcohol (causes drowsiness and dehydration), and techniques to discreetly pass out gases from the gastro-intestinal tract. Sudden movements to high altitude may decrease the cabin pressure. The instruments and equipments for the control of oxygen levels and their proper maintenance are necessary to avoid hypoxia. Though the controls are automatic, it needs proper verification and check-up by following a set of procedures. It is also very important to ensure that the backup facilities are in excellent working conditions. The action plan is not restricted to treatment alone, and it needs to be very comprehensive covering different facets of the administration and management of the human factors as it involves landing aircraft in case of emergencies and accidents on account of its impact on the judgment of the pilots in their operations. The physiological and psychological impact of hypoxia and its relationship with the overall health conditions or other ailments of the persons, pregnancy and the age of the person need to be taken into account in organizing and controlling the human factors in connection with hypoxia, though it is acceptable to a certain extent in the case of the passengers. Life support systems such as masks and hoses should be kept ready with easy procedures to employ them on emergencies. Periodical inspection of these support systems is essential to verify for their usefulness, connectivity to the system, damages and repairs. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (2009), “One practical application is called the “Five Ps (5 Ps). The 5 Ps consists of “the Plan, the Plane, the Pilot, the Passengers and the Programming” (p. 17-11 & 12). It could be observed that plan is the most critical factor which involves coordination among the human factors. The Pilots undergo stringent training and evaluation. They need to upgrade their skills with reference to the Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) for aviation safety in response to the trends in the aviation technology. AQP involves Proficiency Checks and Proficiency Training. The condition of the aircraft, procedures for pre-flight check-ups, the conditions of the instruments and the equipments and systems within the aircraft need to be assessed critically. The cabin crew are trained in taking care of the passengers’ comforts and safety and programming involves several technical aspects related to scheduling and flying and flying. The practical application of 5 Ps is also highly relevant to the management of various human factors related to the flight schedule as well. It involves in pre-flight check-ups, checking up of the instruments, equipments and the system in the aircraft by a technical team on ground, health and fitness check-up of the cabin crew as well as the passengers and coordination in scheduling and programming. This calls for systematic and planned approach in management of the human factors involved through high level of coordination and communication. Airworthiness directives are issued by the Department of Transportation from time to time. For example a directive issued on 25th October, 2012 states “We are proposing this AD to detect and correct defective harnesses which could lead, in case of a sudden depressurization event, to a harness rupture, thereby providing inadequate protection against hypoxia and possibly resulting in unconsciousness of the affected flight crew member and consequent reduced control of the airplane” (2012, 65148). When the flights are under instrument control at higher altitudes, say above 4000-5000 m instrument flight rules are required to be followed. Flying at high risk conditions call for strict adherence to the rules, subject to the soundness of the system with reference to cabin pressure. Since hypoxia involves cyanosis with blueness in finger nails and lips, illusions due to visual impairment, drowsiness and headaches, the pilot’s response to the need for an action would be slower and judgment, especially at the time of landing might lead to accidents. The factors such as increase in work load, habits of the pilots, their alcohol consumption and the age profile of the pilots determine the decision making capabilities of the pilots in aviation. The long-stretched flying will increase the physical strain and mental stress of the crew. Increased automation could make them complacent in their attitude towards safety. It may also reduce their flying skills as the increased dependence of automation makes them lose their grip on the basic concepts over a period of time. Overstretched working hours of the cabin crew, the unfavorable conditions encountered in flying due to weather coupled with the behavior of the passengers and failure of the equipments could create imbalances in their judgment which could lead to accidents. The pilots are given training in the area of aeronautical decision making which aims management of the risks efficiently. The training should be on continuous basis in line with the technological developments taking place in the industry in coordination with the aircraft manufacturing companies. This will ensure hands on experience and training in the operations of the latest equipments and understanding of the concepts underlying the functioning of the equipments. This is an important area in the management of human factors as it aims to educate the personnel on a continuous basis through training. Aeronautical decision making stresses on systematic approach to the issues under consideration, skills in assessment of the risks involved in the operations and the need for effective stress management on the part of the personnel. The ADM process addresses all aspects of decision-making in the flight deck and identifies the steps involved in good decision-making. Steps for good decision-making are: 1. Identifying personal attitudes hazardous to safe flight. 2. Learning behavior modification techniques. 3. Learning how to recognize and cope with stress. 4. Developing risk assessment skills. 5. Using all resources. 6. Evaluating the effectiveness of one’s ADM skills. (Chapter 17, Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), p. 17-3) It is also very important to introduce specific exercise programs for the pilots to avoid hypoxia and encourage them to participate in the program. Because coping up with the stress is dictated by several factors which include mental stability, physical health and fitness to the profession. The exercise program drawn in consultation with the expert medical consultants should assist the pilots to keep them physically fit and prepare their mental faculties to avoid stressful conditions and hypoxia. The exercises would also improve their overall health condition. Evaluation of the effectiveness of one’s ADM skills according to the guidelines is dependent upon the physical health of the pilots. Therefore, introducing effective diagnostics methods to identify the chances of occurrence of Hypoxia in persons to provide preventive care is necessary. Also, to tackle the issue of hypoxia effectively, arrangements for continuous health check-up for the pilots irrespective of the flight schedules and for the personnel prone to Hypoxia should be made. Considering the responsibilities shouldered by the pilots in taking care of the aircraft, cabin crew and the passengers, the managements may form a committee consisting of medical experts and dieticians to identify the type of food or beverage which might make the persons prone to hypoxia. The introduction of such measures would increase the awareness among the pilots and cabin crew about the life style they need to maintain in order to be fit for the service. This will also change their personal attitudes hazardous to safe flight. The attitude factor is the first step in aeronautical decision making as per the FAA guidelines. Findings & Conclusion The life of the passengers and cabin crew inter alia could be endangered due to several factors concerning hypoxia. The development of technology in the field of aviation needs to be supplemented with management of human factors effectively to increase the efficiency levels in the organization. Personal attitude of the employees, their behavioral pattern, their capability to cope up with the stress involved in their jobs and their risk assessment skills are very important for the optimum utilization of the resources. The management of human factors involves identifying the shortcomings in the various connected to aviation and taking corrective measures. The employees, especially the pilots and the cabin crew need to be provided with the training on a continuous basis at periodical intervals. Also, the management of human resources involves coordination among the employees in normal as well as critical times. This requires planning, organizing and implementing the strategies effectively and comparing the actual performance with the planned performance. Analysis of the causes for variance in performance will reveal the shortcomings in performance as well as drawbacks in the plan itself. Therefore, planning is a continuous process of eliminating the factors causing troubles in the system. Also, revising the plans in tune with the developments taking place continuously within the organization, its environment and technology front is very essential. Recommendations Allen (2012, p.3) states that FAA is planning to establish a new Centre for Excellence to research into flight safety, communications, navigation, human factors, propulsion and structures, weather, airport technology, continued airworthiness, and system safety management. However, this needs to be complemented with the best and improved human factors management services for achieving efficiency at all levels. The strategies for a sustainable growth and development in the field of aviation include safety and health related issues, especially hypoxia as it is altitude related health hazard. In the light of the literature review and the findings, the following recommendations are made in relation to the issue of hypoxia and health care in general. Specific exercise programs to avoid hypoxia. Introducing effective diagnostics methods to identify the chances of occurrence of Hypoxia in persons to provide preventive care Identify the type of food or beverage which might cause Hypoxia in persons Continuous health check-up to the pilots and for the other personnel prone to hypoxia irrespective of their flight schedules. References Department of Transportation (2012). Airworthiness Directives; Intertechnique Aircraft Systems. Federal Aviation Administration Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 208 / Friday, October 26, 2012 / Notices, Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 207 / Thursday, October 25, 2012 / Proposed Rules. Retrieved November 27, 2012, from http://docs.regulations.justia.com/entries/2012-10-25/2012-26264.pdf Allen, J.M. (2012). Don’t Dither with Weather, FAA Safety Briefing, Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved November 27, 2012, from http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2012/media/MayJun2012.pdf Federal Aviation Administration (2009) Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. U. S. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM). Retrieved November 27, 2012, from http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/media/phak%20-%20chapter%2017.pdf Pickard, JS & Gradwell, S. R. (2008) Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine. , Ed. Jeffrey R. D., Johnson, R., Stepanek, J. & Jennifer, A. ForgartyLippincott Williams & Wilkins. Rostykus, P. S., Cummings, P. & Mueller, B. A. (1998) Risk Factors for Pilot Fatalities in General Aviation Airplane Crash Landings. The Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 280, No. 11. Retrieved November 27, 2012, from http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=187964 Simons, RM, 2012, Air travel and respiratory disease, British Medical Journal, BMJ 2002; 325: 1186-1187, Retrieved November 27, 2012, from http://www.bmj.com/rapid-response/2011/10/29/hypoxia-airline-passengers Read More