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Pathophysiology of Flight

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In-Flight Medical Emergencies

Abstract

The in-flight environment is a potentially hostile one that exposes patients and medical transport teams to a number of significant physiological changes and environmental stressors. It is important to understand the implications of these on the human body so as to develop strategies to minimise their potential for related adverse clinical consequences during flight. This chapter reviews the physics of the atmosphere with a particular emphasis on the behaviour of gases. The effects of altitude on the human body are considered demonstrating the clinical significance of Boyle’s, Dalton’s and Henry’s law. The impact of changes in humidity, ambient temperature and exposure to G forces is discussed. The potential effects of exposure to noise and vibration are reviewed with special consideration to how these can impair human performance.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Allianz Worldwide Partners, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Geoffrey A. Ramin M.B.B.S., F.A.C.E.M.

Authors
  1. Geoffrey A. Ramin M.B.B.S., F.A.C.E.M.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Geoffrey A. Ramin M.B.B.S., F.A.C.E.M. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Emergency Medicine, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA

    Jose V. Nable

  2. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

    William Brady

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Ramin, G.A. (2018). Pathophysiology of Flight. In: Nable, J., Brady, W. (eds) In-Flight Medical Emergencies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74234-2_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74234-2_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-74233-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74234-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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