Enhanced Safety Enhanced Safety Utilizing Hypoxia Utilizing Hypoxia Recognition and Recognition and

Recovery Training for Recovery Training for Commercial Pilots and Commercial Pilots and

Cabin CrewCabin Crew Donna Murdoch Ph.D. Donna Murdoch Ph.D.

CAsPCAsP

Human Systems Solutions, Human Systems Solutions, Inc.Inc.

Ramon, CARamon, CA

This presentation was funded by This presentation was funded by Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines

The Reduced Oxygen Breathing The Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device 2 was supplied by Environics, Device 2 was supplied by Environics, Inc.Inc.

I would like to thank the aircrew I would like to thank the aircrew members from Alaska Airlines who members from Alaska Airlines who participated in this studyparticipated in this study and Gary and Gary Crawley my co-author.Crawley my co-author.

HELIOS AIRWAYS FLIGHT HELIOS AIRWAYS FLIGHT HCY522HCY522

SUBJECTSSUBJECTS

Alaska Airlines Aircrew MembersAlaska Airlines Aircrew Members 13 Pilots (average flight time = 6125)13 Pilots (average flight time = 6125)

7 had previous hypoxia training in an altitude 7 had previous hypoxia training in an altitude chamberchamber

3 reported being hypoxic in the aircraft3 reported being hypoxic in the aircraft 15 Experienced Cabin Crew Members15 Experienced Cabin Crew Members

4 had previous hypoxia training in an altitude 4 had previous hypoxia training in an altitude chamberchamber

5 reported being hypoxic in the aircraft5 reported being hypoxic in the aircraft

All had a current physical and were All had a current physical and were qualified to flyqualified to fly

METHODSMETHODS PilotsPilots

Familiarization training for those with no previous hypoxia trainingFamiliarization training for those with no previous hypoxia training Up to 4 minutes at 25K ftUp to 4 minutes at 25K ft

Data collection training runData collection training run 3 minutes at 10K ft , immediately followed by to 4 minutes at 25K ft3 minutes at 10K ft , immediately followed by to 4 minutes at 25K ft Each subject performed a simulated flight using a desktop simulator with Each subject performed a simulated flight using a desktop simulator with

altitude changes, radio calls and frequency changes directed by a altitude changes, radio calls and frequency changes directed by a simulated air traffic controllersimulated air traffic controller

Cabin CrewCabin Crew Familiarization training for those with no previous hypoxia training Familiarization training for those with no previous hypoxia training

Up to 4 minutes at 25K ftUp to 4 minutes at 25K ft Data collection training runData collection training run

3 minutes at 10K ft while performing a simulated task requiring light 3 minutes at 10K ft while performing a simulated task requiring light exerciseexercise

Up to 4 minutes at 25K ft while performing a seated task simulating their Up to 4 minutes at 25K ft while performing a seated task simulating their flight dutiesflight duties

The student was encouraged to treat themselves and turn on The student was encouraged to treat themselves and turn on their emergency oxygen when they felt hypoxic but if it became their emergency oxygen when they felt hypoxic but if it became evident that they could not they were coached to turn on their evident that they could not they were coached to turn on their oxygen by the instructor. The level of coaching was recorded.oxygen by the instructor. The level of coaching was recorded.

All data was collected using the Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device 2

computer controlledSpO2 and heart rate monitormass flow controller technologymixes nitrogen and air to get the

desired altitude100% emergency oxygen is

available

94

93

87

78

80

91

85

79

86

81

78

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

10K/3 Min

25K/30 Sec

25K/1:00

25K/1:30

25K/2:00

25K/2:30

Du

rati

on

%SpO2

Cabin Crew

Pilots

N=5

N=10

SpO2 Values During SpO2 Values During Simulation TrainingSimulation Training

N=9

N=13N=13

N=10

N=7

N=1

N=1N=1

N=1

SpO2 SummarySpO2 Summary

70

72

74

76

78

80

82

84

86

%SpO2

Lowest working%SpO2

Lowest Rec %SpO2

PilotsCabin Crew

COACHING REQUIRED TO COACHING REQUIRED TO TURN ON EMERGENCY TURN ON EMERGENCY

OXYGENOXYGEN

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

None Mod Signif

Pilots

Cabin Crew

Total

RESULTSRESULTS Time to termination of trainingTime to termination of training

Pilots - mean 66 (SD 24, range 0-197) Sec at 25KPilots - mean 66 (SD 24, range 0-197) Sec at 25K 3 of 13 terminated before 30 Sec at 25K3 of 13 terminated before 30 Sec at 25K

Cabin Crew – mean 56 (SD 59, range 0-210) Sec at 25 KCabin Crew – mean 56 (SD 59, range 0-210) Sec at 25 K 2 of 15 terminated at 10K and 4 more terminated just after 2 of 15 terminated at 10K and 4 more terminated just after

arriving at 25Karriving at 25K Number feeling they were adequately trained 25Number feeling they were adequately trained 25

3 felt that they needed additional training3 felt that they needed additional training Interval of training requiredInterval of training required

17 thought that training should be given yearly17 thought that training should be given yearly 3 felt that it should be given more frequently than yearly3 felt that it should be given more frequently than yearly 7 felt that it should be given between 2 and 5 years7 felt that it should be given between 2 and 5 years 1 felt that it should be given once in a career1 felt that it should be given once in a career

DiscussionDiscussion

Individual tolerances and workloads Individual tolerances and workloads accounted for the wide range of accounted for the wide range of exposure times and SpO2 levels.exposure times and SpO2 levels.

A majority of the aircrew felt that they A majority of the aircrew felt that they should receive this training at least should receive this training at least yearly (20) thus indicating how valuable yearly (20) thus indicating how valuable they thought it was.they thought it was.

A majority of the cabin crew members A majority of the cabin crew members thought this training should be thought this training should be mandatory.mandatory.

ConclusionConclusion

Hypoxia recognition and recovery training Hypoxia recognition and recovery training provides another defense against provides another defense against catastrophic events resulting from a loss of catastrophic events resulting from a loss of cabin pressurization when all crew cabin pressurization when all crew members are trained and crew members are trained and crew coordination procedures are in place.coordination procedures are in place.

This training should be conducted regularly This training should be conducted regularly for both pilots and cabin crew members.for both pilots and cabin crew members.

A more time sensitive measure of SpO2 A more time sensitive measure of SpO2 should be developed.should be developed.

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

Donna MurdochDonna Murdoch

Human Systems Solutions, Inc.Human Systems Solutions, Inc.

Murdochd.hss@cox.netMurdochd.hss@cox.net

619-573-7106619-573-7106