Methods for describing and quantifying +Gz-induced loss of consciousness.
A thorough understanding of +Gz-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) is enhanced by defining all psychophysiologic phenomena associated with G-LOC. Defining the mechanism of G-LOC and investigating methods to reduce the resulting incapacitation are facilitated by determining the kinetics of G-LOC induction, incapacitation, and recovery. Permanent video recording of G-LOC episodes is required to accurately define G-LOC events. A method of measuring the time course of G-LOC events using video recording is developed. The resulting calculated and experimental data allow an accurate description of acceleration exposure, resulting incapacitation, and myoclonic convulsions. Although acute physiologic recovery is included in this quantitative framework, longer psychophysiologic recovery remains to be fully evaluated. As such, the techniques developed are established as an initial step in fulfilling the requirement to completely define G-LOC phenomena.
Whinnery
J E
JE
Naval Air Development Center, Warminster, PA 18974-5000.
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D006112:Gravitation; D006801:Humans; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000503:physiopathology*