Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-66/10
Title and Subtitle: Effects of decompression on operator performance.
Report Date: April 1966
Authors: O'Connor WF, Pendergrass GE.
Abstract: The study was performed to provide more quantitative estimates of degradation of pilot performance following decompression and the extent to which a decompression with mask donning interrupts the task of piloting. The experiments utilized a Scow complex coordinator and were conducted in an altitude chamber. Subjects were decompressed to altitudes from 25,000 to 41,000 feet. Results indicate impairment of performance for 2 to 4 minutes following rapid decompression. Total time loss from mask donning is much more extended than the 5 to 6 seconds required to don the mask.
Key Words: decompression, aviation medicine, performance (human), pilots, oxygen masks, high altitude, stress (physiology).
No. of Pages: 11
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-66/10
Title and Subtitle: Effects of decompression on operator performance.
Report Date: April 1966
Authors: O'Connor WF, Pendergrass GE.
Abstract: The study was performed to provide more quantitative estimates of degradation of pilot performance following decompression and the extent to which a decompression with mask donning interrupts the task of piloting. The experiments utilized a Scow complex coordinator and were conducted in an altitude chamber. Subjects were decompressed to altitudes from 25,000 to 41,000 feet. Results indicate impairment of performance for 2 to 4 minutes following rapid decompression. Total time loss from mask donning is much more extended than the 5 to 6 seconds required to don the mask.
Key Words: decompression, aviation medicine, performance (human), pilots, oxygen masks, high altitude, stress (physiology).
No. of Pages: 11
Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012