Please answer to the best of your knowledge and understanding the following questions pertaining to Hyperventilation in aviation.
1. A pilot, breathing rapidly during a sortie, complains of feeling light-headed with tingling at the tips of the fingers and the toes. He may be suffering from:-
- (a) Hypoxic hypoxia or Hyperventilation
- (b) Hypoxia
- (c) Hyperventilation
- (d) Alkalosis
2. Hyperventilation occurs due to:-
- (a) Lack of oxygen in the body
- (b) Increase in carbon dioxide in the body
- (c) Excessive wash out of carbon dioxide from the body
- (d) Excessive intake of oxygen during flight
3. The normal blood PaCO2 ranges between:-
- (a) 36 to 44 mm Hg
- (b) 28 to 36 mm Hg
- (c) 44 to 52 mm Hg
- (d) 28 to 52 mm Hg
4. Lowering of blood PaCO2 leading to hyperventilation results in the following changes in the body, except one:-
- (a) Increase in the pH (alkalosis within the body)
- (b) Dilatation of the blood vessels
- (c) Heightened state of alertness
- (d) Fall in blood pressure
5. Which of the following is not a cause of hyperventilation amongst combat pilots:-
- (a) Hypoxia
- (b) Vibrations and air turbulence
- (c) Positive Pressure Breathing
- (d) Flying as a passenger
6. If the symptoms of numbness, tingling, muscle in-coordination, giddiness or fainting spell persists in flight despite of starting 100% oxygen, this is due to:-
- (a) Hypoxia
- (b) Hyperventilation
- (c) Hypoxia or Hyperventilation
- (d) Positive pressure breathing
7. Hyperventilation may occur during positive pressure breathing due to:-
- (a) Reversal in mechanics of respiration
- (b) Anxiety
- (c) Unaccustomed method of breathing
- (d) Stress
8. Which of the following situations is not likely to give rise to hyperventilation:-
- (a) Rookie pilots
- (b) Aerial combat
- (c) Hypoxia indoctrination in decompression chamber
- (d) General handling sortie
9. If a pilot has symptoms of hyperventilation while flying at 5000 feet above MSL, what remedial action is required by him?
- (a) Descend to MSL
- (b) Start breathing heavily
- (c) Take slow and not so deep breath
- (d) Remove oxygen mask
10. In case of suspected hyperventilation, which is the correct in-flight approach:-
- (a) Switch over to 100% oxygen
- (b) Reduce the rate and depth of breathing
- (c) Descend below 10,000 feet
- (d) All of the above
Answers to the quiz:
1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (c) 5. (a) 6. (c) 7. (d) 8. (a) 9. (c) 10. (d).
If you answered 9-10 questions correctly, Congratulations! you have a good understanding of hyperventilation; if you answered 6-8 answers correctly, Great start! you have a fair idea, yet it may be advisable to brush up; if 5 or less answers are correct, you need to learn more about hyperventilation.
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