Effect of physical activity of airline flight attendants on their time of useful consciousness in a rapid decompression.
To determine the effect of physical activity on the "time of useful consciousness" (TUC) of airline flight attendants in a rapid, severe decompression, 10 male and 10 female subjects were exposed to a decompression profile while at rest and performing light-to-moderate work. Decompression from 6,500 to 34,000 ft (2,000 to 10,400 m) was followed by descent at 5,000 ft/min (1,500 m/min). The average TUC for the males decreased from 54 s (omega 7.1) at rest to 34 s (omega 4.4) while performing work. The average TUC for the females decreased from 54 s (omega 8.1) at rest to 32 s (omega 4.0) while performing work. Supplemental oxygen had a marked paradoxical effect when the subjects were performing work.
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000531:Altitude; D001158:Arteries; D003243:Consciousness; D003664:Decompression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D012737:Sex Factors; D014937:Work