Due to aircraft pressurization and fast decompression, aviators began to experience several health problems after the introduction of aircraft.
Academicians and medical experts began to investigate the effects of flight on the human body at this time.
The design of the human body for terrestrial life only permits a small pressure difference for the body to function. We frequently encounter a variety of difficulties when flying, which can impair bodily function. As a result, people must undergo medical testing to check for any conditions that could predispose them to problems with flying. Whether a pilot or a passenger, we all have limitations when we fly.
Evidence-based studies that are still in progress today helped us gain a better knowledge of the impact of flying and pressure changes in aviation.
A thorough medical examination must be performed on pilots of aircraft in order to identify any diseases or risk factors that could increase the likelihood of an accident and help lessen the risk.
Aircraft cabins must be pressurized when cruising at higher altitudes to maintain the physiological requirements for people to be able to breathe normally and easily. For aircraft that are higher than 12,500 feet above sea level, where the Physiological Efficient Zone ends, cabin pressurization is required. The optimal altitude for maintaining human respiration without the use of any additional oxygen is somewhere between sea level and 8000 feet. The physiological efficiency zone is a division of the atmosphere where human body can work and consume oxygen without significant impact from the surroundings.
Modern commercial jetliners have the best cabin altitude of 6000 feet, which is comfortable and allows the human body to breathe adequately with the good availability of humid that comes from corrected air. Examples of these aircraft include the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350.
This story and others like it led to the need for a separate branch of medicine that focuses on studying how the human body responds to aberrant environments. This branch of medicine became known as aviation medicine.
” Be Safe and Fly with Confidence ”
Prepared by
Dr. Nasra Nassor Omar
Civilian International Aviation Medical Examiner
