Document Detail


Greyout, blackout, and G-loss of consciousness in the Brazilian Air Force: a 1991-92 survey.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  7575318     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A national survey has been performed with high and medium performance aircraft pilots on the incidence of symptoms due to +Gz acceleration, in order to make up a human centrifuge physiological training profile directed to the needs of the Brazilian Air Force pilots. Anonymous questionnaires were sent to Flight Squadrons of F-5, AMX, Mirage F-103, Xavante AT-26, and Tucano T-27. They consisted of inquiries about the occurrence of visual symptoms and/or loss of consciousness during +Gz (G-LOC) maneuvers, and post-G-LOC symptoms. Some 193 pilots answered the questionnaire: 23 (11.92%) reported greyout and/or loss of peripheral vision; 40 (20.72%) reported blackout; 20 (10.36%) reported G-LOC. Those who reported LOC also reported post-G-LOC symptoms (100%), 16 (80%) being gradual and 4 (20%) instantaneous. Incidence of G-LOC did not depend upon the type of aircraft flown (p > 0.05). Considering the pilots who reported G-LOC, 80% were preceded by blackout, which could allow them to relieve +Gz load before they would reach their endpoint for the occurrence of G-LOC. For these reasons we recommend intensive human centrifuge training periodically, similar to the hypoxia-recognition test in the hypobaric chamber, not only for high performance aircraft pilots but for any pilot who can perform aerobatics (thus exposing himself to the adverse effects of "pulling G"). This will allow each pilot to recognize his consciousness endpoint when undergoing +Gz maneuvers, in a controlled and safe environment.
Authors:
K M Alvim
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Aviation, space, and environmental medicine     Volume:  66     ISSN:  0095-6562     ISO Abbreviation:  Aviat Space Environ Med     Publication Date:  1995 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1995-10-24     Completed Date:  1995-10-24     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7501714     Medline TA:  Aviat Space Environ Med     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  675-7     Citation Subset:  IM; S    
Affiliation:
Brazilian Air Force Institute of Aerospace Physiology, Air Force University, Rio de Janeiro.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acceleration / adverse effects*
Aerospace Medicine*
Aircraft / classification
Brazil / epidemiology
Chi-Square Distribution
Discrimination Learning
Gravity Suits
Humans
Incidence
Military Personnel*
Time Factors
Unconsciousness / epidemiology*,  etiology,  prevention & control
Vision Disorders / epidemiology*,  etiology,  prevention & control

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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