U.S. Air Force positive-pressure breathing anti-G system (PBG): subjective health effects and acceptance by pilots.
Current high-performance fighter aircraft subject pilots to acceleration forces that can adversely effect performance and induce unconsciousness during flight. The main strategies to help the fighter pilot sustain +Gz include a pressurized anti-G garment (G-suit), the anti-G straining maneuver, and centrifuge training to optimize this effective, but very fatiguing, maneuver. To improve anti-G support for aircrew, a positive-pressure breathing anti-G system (PBG) has been developed in the COMBAT EDGE program. In order to determine if any acute adverse health effects are occurring from the use of PBG, a survey of 241 (F-15 and F-16) pilots (49 using PBG and 192 using standard methods) was conducted. Questions were asked regarding acute health effects and the impact of PBG on mission accomplishment. With the exception of dry cough, no significant increases in adverse events were found, and acceptance in the F-16 was much greater than in the F-15.
Human Systems Program Office, Brooks AFB, TX 78235-5218.
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D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D005676:Gravity Suits / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States