Hypoxia takes hold when the oxygen level in a person’s arterial blood-flow to the brain is too low. Without enough O2, pilots can experience tingling in their extremities, tunnel vision and an ever-worsening ability to safely control the airplane. Oxygen deprivation is difficult to self-diagnose because symptoms, masked by a sense of euphoria, appear gradually.
Gear: MightySat
Key Takeaways:
- Hypoxia, a dangerous condition for pilots caused by low blood oxygen, is difficult to self-diagnose due to gradual symptom onset and a sense of euphoria, leading to impaired control and tunnel vision.
- The Masimo MightySat is a consumer-grade pulse oximeter designed to help pilots prevent hypoxia by monitoring blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate, and respiratory rate.
- The device provides critical awareness of oxygen levels, alerting pilots to dangerous drops (e.g., below 90% SpO2), and can connect via Bluetooth to a smartphone app for a larger, easier-to-read display of data.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
