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Beside velocity and acceleration, altitude has always been one of the most fascinating adventures for human beings. Supersonic speed enables you to reach altitudes far above 30,000 ft. within a short time. The marvellous view to our wonderful world may hide invisible risks, such as loss of oxygen or cabin pressure. In such situations, one has only a short time of useful consciousness available to react and make the correct decisions, if one detects the risks immediately.
It is generally recognised that the most serious danger for aircrew is the decreased partial pressure of oxygen encountered at low barometric pressures.
Without the proper use of oxygen equipment and cabin pressurisation, hypoxia can quickly lead to incapacitation or death.
Time of useful consciousness is the period from the interruption of the oxygen supply of exposure to an oxygen-poor environment, to the time when useful function is lost. The individual is no longer capable of taking proper corrective and protective actions. It is not the time of total unconsciousness.
One may consider that the time of consciousness at height levels for civil aviation of 35,000 ft. is between 0.5 seconds and one minute. At height levels of 43,000 ft. the time of consciousness is between 9 and 12 seconds.
The time to survive is extremely short and if pilots do not recognise the symptoms of hypoxia, it leads to a fatal accident.
Demonstration and recognition of these phenomena, such as hypoxia, decompression or even explosive decompression combined with extreme climatic conditions of ± 50° C and 20 - 80 % relative humidity, helps one to overcome such critical situations by learning the appropriate recovery actions.
Prediction of the exact altitude at which physical and mental impairment may occur. There are wide variations between individuals.
Demonstrates to the pilots the effect of insufficient oxygen causing the impairment of cerebral functions.
Demonstration with increasing altitude cause impairment in thinking and judgement, slowing reactions, lack of mental and muscular coordination, diminished vision and hearing, and impairment of memory. Eventually, there could be a loss of consciousness and ultimately death.
High altitude training at an early stage sharpens the recognition of hypoxia and is an important contribution to increase flight safety.
High altitude training to investigate the influence of low oxygen saturation in the human body, demonstrated by psycho-physiological behaviour due to rapid or explosive decompression.
Research and sports training at higher altitudes during extended and continuous operation of the chamber for several days or weeks and medical treatment against pertussis.
hypobaric and rapid decompression chamber