Physiological training in Jordan.
The hypobaric chamber is designed as a teaching aid in providing orientation for some of the physiological stresses in flight. Reactions during chamber training vary from mild ear block to neurocirculatory collapse. This is a retrospective study on reactions from 1986-94 in the hypobaric chamber training unit at King Hussien Medical Centre in Jordan; 39 cases were reported among 705 trainees in a 12-person rectangular hypobaric chamber. We analyzed the various reactions according to type, severity and altitude of occurrence. The most common reactions were found to be ear block (65%) and sinus block (25%). These were treated on the spot and followed for 48 h without sequelae. We did not have any moderate or severe reaction; we found that all reactions were minor, which reflects the efficacy of safety measures taken prior to and during training.
al-Wedyan
I A
IA
General Headquarters Jordan Armed Forces, Royal Air Force Medical Facility, Amman, Jordan.
Shahin
B H
BH
Abu Ghosh
H M
HM
al-Aqqad
S S
SS
al-Qura'an
M S
MS
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000531:Altitude; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D018472:Hypogravity / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D007597:Jordan; D008889:Military Personnel; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies