Joe Casey on Hypoxia and other Aeronautical Factors - InTheHangar Ep 74

Dan Millican (@SFilmsTakingOff) and Christy Wong (@PiiotChristy) sit down with DPE Joe Casey to discuss Hypoxia and how it relates to pilots and flying. Hypoxia is a killer in aviation-- as your body is robbed of oxygen, it affects muscle control, brain functions and can incapacitate you fairly quickly. The FAA recognizes the importance of knowing how Hypoxia affect you (it can be different from person to person), so you can go into their chamber FOR FREE. Check it out: www.faa.gov/pi...

[@MonsoonEast]

So glad you streamed a bit of this weekend. Always informative and entertaining. Thank you. Daniel

[@craigrochlis155]

Hi Dan- I saw your video with Joe Casey talking about hypoxia. Joe said that at altitude, it is the lack of pressure not forcing the oxygen into the blood. He used as an example that whether at sea level or at altitude, the percentage of oxygen and nitrogen, etc. has not changed. That is true, but at altitude, because of lower barometer pressure, the molecules of air are more widely distributed. For example if you knew how many molecules of air are contained in a given volume of air at sea level, , there are fewer molecules in the same volume of air at altitude. So, in my mind, it would seem that you could say (as you did in the video) that the air is “thinner”. For each breath, you are taking in less oxygen molecules than you would at sea level. And since your body needs a certain amount of oxygen to function, you can go into hypoxia. Unless I’m wrong, it is not the amount of pressure “forcing” the oxygen into your system. Yes, if you are in a hyperbaric chamber, you can create enough pressure to saturate more oxygen into your system, but I am confused regarding what Joe said that you are still taking in the same amount of oxygen at altitude- perhaps it is a combination of fewer oxygen molecules and lower pressure. Regards, Craig Rochlis

[@deannawallace3687]

Craig, you are correct that with increasing altitude, the molecules of oxygen get farther apart, but the molecules also exert less pressure per square inch. The percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere doesn’t change, but the partial pressure (the amount of pressure exerted by individual gases in a gas mixture like atmospheric air...nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, etc) of oxygen in ambient air decreases as we go to altitude. As the partial pressure of oxygen gets lower, the lungs cannot effectively transfer oxygen from the ambient air to the blood to be carried to all tissues in the body. The end result (hypoxic hypoxia) has little to do with the density of oxygen molecules in each breath, but everything to do with the way our body takes in and distributes oxygen to the individual cells. Gases in the body (oxygen & carbon dioxide) follow pressure gradients that allow them to diffuse from the lungs to the blood (oxygen) and from the blood to the alveoli in the lungs (carbon dioxide).

[@joecasey8444]

Craig, you are right...this was not explained by me as well as it should have been. Maybe it's the fact that it was a live presentation, and not available to editing. But, I could have said this better. Certainly, the amount of air is "less dense" at high altitude, and this is because the partial pressure of the various ingredients. So, less O2 is available. But, the partial pressure of the O2 found in the lungs contrasted with the partial pressure of the O2 in the bloodstream (venous vs. arterial O2 pressure) is what forces the O2 from the air into the lungs. I wanted to illustrate that, but left the other side of it out. Good catch!

[@pato13mata]

Great DPE! 👏🏻

[@TakingOff]

Yes he is!!

[@MichaelLloyd]

I feel like I've seen this before... because I have. If you ever get the chance to attend the "taping" of these videos I can't recommend it enough.

[@snaproll94e]

Where are they based? Great channel and videos. I'd like to attend one.

[@MichaelLloyd]

@@snaproll94e They are out of Dallas. If you do Facebook there is a Taking Off page and that's where Dan announced the taping sessions. The bonus of going is you get to hang out with pilots. :o)

[@billnicholson2470]

Very good episode! Joe is a very smart and prepared guy. Lost of great info there.

[@j.mauricioperez5255]

Hi, could you tell me what glasses frames/brand you are wearing in this video please?

[@MichaelLloyd]

Flying Eyes

[@likes2fly]

Love your videos. Here is a topic I'm interested and you might want to have a show on it. Buying a plane from a LLC and any extra procedures you need to do like who signs off as the seller or sellers and after you buy a plane do's and don'ts of adding a plane to your business that is already a LLC. We have a accounting business, souvenir, and aircraft maintenance home business with no other employees just home business's. Tax deductions too. The plane will be used for pleasure and business.

[@aeroengguy448]

At 40,000 ft, the partial pressure of oxygen in the body is greater than outside, so oxygen is literally sucked out of the body.

[@TakingOff]

This is a great illustration, thanks for sharing.

[@DirtNerds]

do you have a link to the altitude chamber? I tried to find it online but the FAA's site very difficult to navigate

[@TakingOff]

Yeah, I’ve been so slammed since shooting in the studio, and having to rush off for another clients video, I haven’t even put in the description, or links yet. But I will in the next 24 hours

[@brianeney4856]

I know the AIM recommends O2 for flight above 5000 MSL while flying at night. I happened to live at 5000 feet elevation, I argued with my CFI that I did not need it since I was already accumulated.

[@amtank]

Always amused me. How about them pilots in Leadville, CO. I live at 3,300.

[@ihelpsed8em]

Hey guys. I’ve got a story or segment for you. Mid lifer who switched careers and fly a commercial gig with a very unusual plane at night for compensation. Plane has 1 of 13 STC’s