One device saves lives, time, money Published Nov. 16, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Most people think aircrew members only have to worry about the aircraft when flying. Rarely do people recognize the importance of altitude changes and how it can affect the aircrew member's physiology. "Hypoxia, essentially, is a reduction of oxygen supply," said Capt. John C. Lavin, 5th Medical Operations Squadron aerospace and operational physiology team chief. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, a feeling of euphoria and nausea, he added. Experiencing hypoxia while flying is something Air Force Global Strike Command aircrew members need to train for so they know how to react and correct, said the captain. To ensure aircrew members are prepared and know how to react if altitude changes induce hypoxia while flying, they train with reduced oxygen breathing devices in the flight simulator. "The function of this device is basically to induce hypoxia and test the aircrew member's ability to react and correct," said Tech. Sgt. Keith Lewis, 5th Medical Operations Squadron aerospace and operational physiology technician. The sergeant noted that before these devices were obtained last year, aircrew members used to have to go on TDYs to receive training in the altitude chamber. "The difference between this device and the chamber is that with the device, we are changing the amount of oxygen they receive, which is virtually the same thing as changing the altitude," said the sergeant. So why train with the reduced oxygen breathing device over the chamber? "This device has several benefits over the chamber," he started. "First, this is more cost effective because we're not sending individuals on TDY, so it saves a few thousand dollars in TDY costs." The breathing device is also more beneficial because of where it is used, he added. "The training is accomplished inside of their working environment [flight simulator] as opposed to the chamber where members sit waiting for the change in altitude," he said. "They [aircrew] are able to see how the hypoxia affects them while they are performing their flight tasks," the sergeant said. "Sometimes they realize they are engaging in hypoxia, sometimes they won't. This simulation helps them recognize what happens and why hypoxia is so dangerous." This device is a lot more physically beneficial than the chamber as well, he said. "When they used to train in the chamber, they wouldn't be able to fly for days afterwards because of intense fatigue," Sergeant Lewis added. "Now, with this device, aircrews are able to fly the same day they complete the simulation, which in turn allows the aircrew to continue with other required training." Captain Lavin believes that overall, this training and this device are valuable tools in the accomplishment of Minot's mission. "I think this training is very beneficial," said the captain. "The aircrew members are able to learn their symptoms and the signs of hypoxia in their actual environment, while remaining in a safe environment where we can monitor their oxygen levels and pulse." Captain Thomas McCarty, 5th Operations Support Squadron chief of simulators, also agrees these devices are beneficial to the overall mission here. "High-altitude physiology training is very important for aviation safety," he said. "The use of reduced oxygen breathing devices is a cost effective way to deliver this training in a controlled environment with the aircrew performing realistic tasks."