As a pilot, our health is extremely important to us. We not only have to pass our flight physicals every so often, but we also have to be in tip-top health for each flight. This section is dedicated to helping you be the safest and most prepared pilot for every phase of flight.

Before each flight, you should add one more checklist to your preflight, the IMSAFE checklist. This checklist is to ensure that you are in the proper physiological state to fly. Here is a breakdown of the checklist:
I – Illness. Are you sick?
M – Medication. Are you taking any medications that could have adverse side affects?
S – Stress. Are you under any kind of bad stress that could distract you in your flight?
A – Alcohol. Have you had a drink the last 8 hours? Under .04? Suffering any effects?
F – Fatigue. Suffering from fatigue?
E – Emotion. Are you under any serious emotions that could distract you?
If you answered yes to any of the questions in the checklist, then you should not fly. This checklist was designed to prevent pilots from becoming incapacitated or distracted during flight. And remember that some medication has adverse effects with altitudes and you should double check with your doctor before flying on medication.

In flight, a pilot is still prone to several potentially hazardous health factors. These factors could lead to inflight emergencies or potentially fatal. In this section, we will look at each of these factors and break down how to recognize them and prevent them.

Hypoxia
There are four different types of hypoxia: Hypoxic, Hypemic, Stagnant, and Histotoxic. Hypoxia refers to the lack of oxygen to the brain and body. Here is a breakdown of the different kinds of hypoxia and how they can effect a pilot:
Hypoxic Hypoxia -  An insufficient amount of oxygen reaching the entire body. This could include such things as drowning or a blocked airway, but this applies to pilots because air decreases in pressure with altitude. Because of this, if there were a decompression of an aircraft at high altitudes or a pilot knowingly does not use oxygen above 12,000 feet (See FAR 91.211), then the lungs will not have enough pressure to absorb all of the oxygen in the air, thus becoming hypoxic.
Hypemic Hypoxia –  This occurs when there is a lack of sufficient blood to carry oxygen molecules throughout the body. This can occur due to loss of blood (such as an accident) or due to certain diseases (such as anemia). Hypemic hypoxia can happen to pilots when the blood is unable to chemically bind to oxygen to transport it. This can happen when one is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning (more on this below).
Stagnant Hypoxia – Occurs when the blood is not flowing throughout or part of the body. You experience this when your arm or leg ‘falls asleep’. Stagnant hypoxia can happen in flight if one pulls excessive g-forces or for medical reasons (failing heart, shock, etc).
Histotoxic Hypoxia –  Results when the blood is able to transport oxygen, but the cells are unable to use it. This can result from poison , alcohol, or drugs.

The symptoms of hypoxia are slow to onset with euphoria being the first symptom. Usually by the time one is aware of becoming hypoxic, it is too late as the symptoms and sense of euphoria have taken over. If one doesn’t use supplemental oxygen or descent to a lower altitude where normal breathing can occur, then unconsciousness will be the last symptom. Below is a chart of the symptoms.

Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation happens due to an excessive rate and depth of breathing leading to an abnormal loss of carbon dioxide from the blood. This can be particularly dangerous because an unsuspecting pilot will be shocked by the oncoming symptoms and could aggravate the problem further. Hyperventilation will eventually lead to unconsciousness. During stressful situations, such as emergencies, a pilot may subconsciously increase their breathing rate and potentially begin to hyperventilate. Hyperventilation shares similar symptoms to hypoxia and it is important correctly diagnose which is occurring.

If you ever find yourself or a passenger suffering from hyperventilation, the best treatment is to breathe normally. To help yourself or a passenger along, have them talk out loud or sing to you. One must breathe when talking or singing and it forces the body to return to normal breathing patterns.

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Resources: The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is a great resource that is a must have for any pilot. Containing the basic information any pilot, from student pilot to those seeking advanced certificates, should know. This book has all the information needed to pass your FAA checkride or biennial flight review. Click on the book below to find out more.