Hypoxia Hazard in Aviation

This report discusses the critical issue of hypoxia in aviation, detailing its causes, effects on pilots, and the resulting accidents. It highlights the importance of oxygen levels at high altitudes and the need for proper training and equipment to mitigate risks. The report also outlines historical incidents caused by hypoxia and suggests measures to enhance safety in aviation operations.

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HYPOXIA HAZARD IN AVIATION
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EFFECTS OF HYPOXIA TO A PILOT
Hypoxia is a deficiency to a human body that occurs as a result of lack of sufficient
oxygen in the body. It is tumor caused by a decrease in molecular concentration of the oxygen
molecule. In aviation, it is caused by decreased pressure in oxygen emanating from an increase
in altitude levels which are beyond human compatibility. Studies show that, for every breath of
air, the body absorbs a certain percentage of oxygen. When frying higher, the percentages of air
composition remain constant in the atmosphere.
However, at a peak elevation, the air becomes less dense therefore decreasing the bodies
capability to absorb oxygen Gas. A study by (Acharya 2017, P, 696-707) in his journal of
informatics shows that atmospheric pressure at 10,000 feet can be approximated to two-thirds of
the available oxygen to breathe. This causes depressurization and therefore leads to hypoxia
which has remained to be an ever-present disaster in aviation, leading to a lot of negativities such
as accidents and poor performance.
This hypoxia disaster has adverse effects to the pilots who engage in aircraft operations.
There are different types of Hypoxia associated with a deficiency in oxygen. The common type
which is usually experienced at high altitudes where the air density is insufficient is known as
hypoxic hypoxia. At higher altitudes, there also exists another form of hypoxia known as
hypemic hypoxia. It occurs when the hemoglobin molecule in the blood fails to transport the
oxygen inhaled.
Following studies from a book by (Alexander 2014, P, and 575-242) it can be deduced
that this happens because the carbon monoxide gas binds in an irreversible way to the
hemoglobin, therefore, loading the body fluid transport mechanism. Regarding health, the

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impact of this disaster, to the pilot on the flight, lack of sufficient oxygen at a higher altitude
becomes one of the most dangerous occurrences that can lead to sudden death. This happens
such that in high altitudes, there exists little oxygen pressure which has little capability to push
the oxygen gas into the human lungs, and the bloodstream upon inhaling.
As a result of this decrease in oxygen gas in the body, its supply to body tissues and
organs is undermined. This results to malfunctioning of various organs in the body such as brain
heart and kidneys. When organs are impaired, human life faces a threat since they are the core
organs that support human life. This oxygen starvation is the reason behind death occurrences
that are witnessed in aircraft operations. For example, in Greek history, a plane by the name
Helios Airways which originated from Larnaca international airport having carried 115
passengers and six cabbing crews faced an accident as a result of oxygen starvation.
The incident happened when the crew encountered loss of pressurized oxygen. This
made them leave the aircraft swaying in the air and finally landed on the ground leading to the
death of a great number of people. Mind disorientation is another effect of hypoxia that happens
to a pilot. Since hypoxia is a process which happens bit by bit, one cannot realize its suffering,
until he or she experiences oxygen starvation. A Research by (Albright 2015, P, 63) has it that
hypoxia gives poor judgment to a pilot.
This happens where at the initial stages of its experience, a pilot feels like having
undergone alcohol toxicities. Since oxygen starvation firstly strikes the brain, the critical order of
judgment that happens in the brain becomes disoriented. The pilot starts having a misleading
pleasant leading to a false sense of security. This can make the pilot fry higher until the hypoxia
is severe enough to cause death.

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Hypoxia is associated with somebody effects is also termed to bring about motion
sickness. This happens where while in motion, a pilot starts experiencing strange feelings and
blurred vision. For example, upon facing hypoxia, a pilot may start experiencing narrow visions
while the piloting instruments start having a frizzy appearance. Also, as the pilot moves higher,
his or her lips and skin under the fingernails start turning blue while the heartbeat presents
palpitations.
This effect disorients the pilot's concentration which results in aircraft accidents. For
example, Boeing 747-206B aircraft involved an accident caused by hypoxia experienced by the
operator KLM Royal Dutch airlines. The flight originated from Schiphol airport in Amsterdam
Netherlands it was meant to land at Gran Canaria airport but crashed on the way leading to a
total loss of 248 fatalities.
Hypoxia also has adverse effects on psychomotor performance. This means that when a
pilot experiences hypoxia, he or she losses ideology and coordination of the aircraft. Due to these
impairments, a pilot cannot be able to control the aircraft since it requires a sober mind free from
destruction. Referring to the body effects of hypoxia, it has been observed that loss of
consciousness is one of oxygen starvation effect.(Ali and Darnel 2017, P, 446-505) explains that
this oxygen starvation can make the pilot collapse leaving the aircraft unattended.
This causes the aircraft to descend and crush resulting to the death of the people in flight.
Hypoxia also instills fatigue to the pilots leading to poor psychomotor performance. Where the
fatigue generated, cause drowsiness resulting to poor concentration. This fatigue might also
cause the pilot not to notice the direction of flight thereby facing sudden collisions. It is also
outlined that, it is hard to note the onset of hypoxia. This is put forth by the fact that Hypoxia

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creates euphoria which refers to the abnormal excitement. This excitement can make the pilot fry
higher above the stipulated level. In these regions, hypoxia is more severe since air pressure
reduces with increase in altitude, and also goes hand in hand with the pressure of oxygen.
The following are examples of accidents that happened as a result of the gradual onset of
hypoxia. In 2005, an aircraft B733 en –route from northwest of Athens Greece crashed when it
descended as a result of exhaustion of fuel. During this incident, 115 passengers and six crews
perished due to lack of pressurization. This happened when the crew was engulfed by hypoxia
leaving the flight under control of the autopilot and management computer whose rescue actions
failed.
Secondly, the research has it that in 2007, a flight named RJ1H en route from South West
of Stockholm Sweden crashed after the crew perished as a result of depressurization. Hypoxia
disaster is still a threat even today since flight operations are not still fully equipped with the
measures meant to curb it. For example, use of advanced oxygen disciplines such as cabin
pressurization is not yet embraced.
REASONS WHY HYPOXIA REMAINS A THREAT EVEN TODAY
The disaster is said to remain a hindrance in aircraft operations since flight passengers
are not always fully equipped with oxygen backups. As discussed in his book (Rabotyagov 2014,
P, 58-79) it is found that this may be due to lack of sufficient funds to purchase this commodity
and failure of manufacturers to install oxygen gadgets in flights. Negligence by the flight crews
to observe the level of altitudes is another factor that encourages hypoxia to happen frequently.
This happens such that pilots fail to note the impact they are to make by frying higher above the
recommended altitude level.

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Economic needs also make hypoxia remain a threat today since every commercial aircraft
operation is based on minimum expense cost. Following this idea, pilots are advised to fry higher
above where the flight can move faster and burn little fuel since as the flight climbs above, the
air gets thinner, therefore, enhancing fast movement of the flight. Since most aircraft operators
are more inclined in reaping the benefit of fast and economical movement, they easily forget that
in high altitudes Hypoxia is most severe.
In these regions, there exists insufficient oxygen to fuel the flight engine, and pressurize
the air inside the flight. This leads to malfunction of the pilot resulting in accidents. Therefore,
need to economize commercial aircraft operations facilitate the existence of hypoxia as a
hazardous threat. Due to heavy traffic that exist in lower flight aircraft routes, most pilots tend to
fly higher to avoid airborne traffic and other distractions such as moving birds.
As they do so, they keep on increasing chances of hypoxia since as seen earlier hypoxia
gradually increases with increase in altitude due to the reduction of pressure in oxygen molecule.
As far as these traffics remain to be evaded, hypoxia remains a threat even today. Furthermore,
in his publication, (Gatterrer2014, P, 731) narrates that in the event of emergencies; pilots tend to
fry higher trying to stabilize as the situation gets addressed by the autopilot and computer
management. As this happens, hypoxia disaster may also happen to make the plane crew to
collapse and land with an explosion. Therefore, where empirical and critical control of the flight
by the autopilot personnel is undermined, Hypoxia remains to be a threat even today since cases
of emergency shall keep on recurring.
Lack of adequate training of aircraft personnel is another factor that encourages hypoxia
to remain a threat till today. It happens that the cost of competent training for pilots and autopilot

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personnel is so high such that people opt for shortcuts which give them partial knowledge of
aircraft operations. ( Kotliar 2014 P, 763-772) outlines that, this is the reason behind some pilots
would fry higher above the recommended level to suit their excitement without realizing that
there are risks of hypoxia associated with high altitudes.
Failure to observe the methods implicated on making the conditioned air is also a thriving
factor enhancing existence of hypoxia as a threat today. Cabin pressurization is a process of
feeding conditioned air in the cabin of an aircraft requires careful attention to prevent failure.
The conditioned air is processed through some activities. Studies by (Legg 2014, P, 126-140)
Shows that these activities include, blending off the air from gas turbines then compressing it to
gain high pressure.
This gas is then humidified cooled, and recirculated air is then mixed before distribution
to the cabin. Since some companies fail to speculate and observe one of these procedures of air
installation, the cabin of aircraft still fails to provide the conditioned air at a high altitude leading
to suffocation of the passengers on the flight. Therefore, as (lynch 2017, P, 295-303) concludes,
Carelessness of the manufacturers of these aircraft cabins facilitates hypoxia to remain a threat
even today.
Global warming is another hindrance facilitating the existence of hypoxia where the
existing weather condition doesn't facilitate aircraft operation.(Mahoney 2014,P,45-56)
Explained that this is because global warming has resulted in changes in the formation of clouds
and air composition in the aircraft routes. This effect forces the pilots to fry higher to evade
congestions. While trying to evade this climate conditions, the pilots end up facing hypoxia as

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they fly higher and higher. Therefore, as far as global warming exists, hypoxia remains to be a
threat even today.
MEASURES TAKEN TO CURB HYPOXIA EXISTENCE
Despite its existence, there are measures which can be put in place to protect against it.
Malle (2013, P, 773-779) proposed that Carrying oxygen in the plane as a backup is one of the
measures that can be put in place to protect against hypoxia. This includes installing conditioned
air in the cabin of an aircraft through cabin pressurization. This oxygen can be used in flight
which fries above 12500 feet where hypoxia is likely to occur. It can also be used when having
night flights above 5000 feet.
Another measure that can be applied to curb hypoxia is obeying the recommended route
and altitude. That is, frying within or below 12500 feet. This can help evade limitations
associated with a reduction of oxygen pressure which causes hypoxia.in his journal Martinussen
2017, P, 456-556) stated clearly that "both vocational and professional training is a fundamental
practice that can help alleviate the hypoxia disaster." This is made possible whereby the
vocational training equips the crews with advanced experience in practical skills of aircraft
operations. This includes both autopilot and computer management.
On the other hand, professional training equips the crew with knowledge and competent
skills in both aircraft operations and climate conditions. For example, following an article by
(Ostheimer2014, P, 276) it is found that the training offers a good understanding of the aircraft
routes, weather conditions and safety measures of operation such as oxygen mask donning in the
event of hypoxia. When crews are equipped with a good understanding of these operations,

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hypoxia can be protected from happening, as well as reduce accident incidents brought about by
hypoxia disaster.
Observing weather conditions can help protect against hypoxia. This can be done through
processes such as preflight which is a preliminary test on the climate situation before the actual
flight operation as explained in a book section by ( Rotta 2014, P,360-363).During this pre-flight,
identification of altitudes with icing conditions, towering cumulus and turbulence can be
determined to locate the safest zone to follow. When these preliminary activities are carried,
hypoxia alleviated.
In his statement (Schindler 2017, P, 67-71) asserts that High-performance gliding is a
method that can be applied to curb hypoxia where a pilot descends rapidly upon crossing a
terrain this helps evade high altitudes associated with hypoxia, and also preserve backup oxygen
for more altitude areas. If the crew is skilled enough to exercise this, chances of hypoxia can be
eliminated.
During the flight, passengers should be addressed sufficiently to have technical skills to
identify chances of hypoxia. For example (Shankran 2014, P, 2629) proposed that this gadget
can be mounted with additional equipment such as such as pulse ox meters. This gadget
measures oxygen content in the blood. A sensor device is mounted on them that clip the
fingertips. They give immediate readings where 100 percent represents a normal reading while
95 percent indicates the minimum expected value. Below 90 percent, the device gives a warning
indicating the presence of hypoxia. Providing passengers with these additional devices can help
alleviate hypoxia disaster since the warning signs indicated by this device can prompt immediate
safety measures such as rapid descending.

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Use of Automatic Descent Mode, (ADM) in aircraft, can help solve the hypoxia disaster.
This happens in such a way that when depressurization occurs at high altitudes, the ADM gives
the passengers a chance to engage in other activities. The activities engaged in include
identifying the safest path to follow and staying conscious of the changes. Following a study by
(Temme 2017, P, 101-105) it is clear that when this hypoxia phenomenon happens, the computer
management that is, the autopilot department guides the aircraft to approach safest altitudes with
at with a high velocity.
The ADM activation is done when the autopilot is engaged in guiding the flight. This is
normally done when the flight is 30,000 feet above, and the cabin is at an altitude of 9700 feet or
more as reported by (Winslow 2015, P, 693-701). The ADM helps alleviate the hypoxia disaster
by guiding the flight through a specified mechanism.
To start with, the ADM guides the flight to turn 90 degrees left. This helps the flight to
partially leaving the altitude with depressurization. Secondly, the Autothrottle is automatically
engaged when required to reduce the thrust to a resting position. The ADM also makes the flight
descend with a relative speed of 10kts lesser than Vmo/Mmo.
Before deciding on which altitude to follow a pre-selection of 15000 ft. Altitude is first
tested then the ADM is expressed in the middle of the FMA panel. In his article, Zafren (2014, P,
29-39) outlined that When the aircraft reaches 15000ft, it maintains a speed of 250kts, and the
ADM remains in control until the autopilot is withdrawn. In conclusion, ADM operation
supports hypoxia protection by improving safety operations in aircraft, reducing the workload to
the crews in flight and also fully automating the flight system.

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Gatterer, H 2014, Shuttle-run sprint training in hypoxia for youth elite soccer players: a pilot
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Winslow, T 2015, A pilot study of the effects of mild systemic heating on human head and neck
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