About Oxygen
What Every Pilot Should Know About Oxygen...
Read Entire Brochure
What Is Air?
What Is Oxygen?
Why Is Oxygen So Important?
Where And How Do We Normally Obtain Our Oxygen?
How Much Oxygen Does The Human Body Need?
What Happens If The Body Does Not Receive Enough Oxygen?
What Are The Effects Of Hypoxia?
When And Why Must We Use Extra Oxygen?
Does The Percentage Of Oxygen In The Air Change With Altitude?
Why Must We Use Extra Oxygen When We Ascend In Altitude?
At What Altitudes Should Oxygen Be Used?
How Can You Tell When You Need Oxygen?
You can't; therefore, oxygen should be used before it is needed. The most dangerous aspect of hypoxia is the insidious "sneaky" nature of its onset. Because the effects of hypoxia are primarily on the brain and nervous system, there is a gradual loss of mental faculties, impairment of judgment, coordination, and skill; but these changes are so slow that they are completely unnoticed by the individual who is being affected. Actually, a person suffering from mild or moderate hypoxia is apt to feel a sense of exhilaration or security and may be quite proud of his or her proficiency and performance although he or she may be on the verge of complete incompetence. Because hypoxia acts upon the brain and nervous system, its effects are very much like those of alcohol or of other drugs which produce a false sense of well-being. There is a complete loss of ability for self-criticism or self-analysis; some people believe that an individual can detect a need for oxygen by noting the increase in breathing rate, an accelerated heartbeat, and the slight bluish discoloration (cyanosis) of the fingernails. However, by the time these symptoms develop, the individual is more likely to be mentally incapable of recognizing these signs; he or she may decide that he or she has always wanted blue fingernails! Even while "spiraling" out of control, he or she may be convinced (if conscious at all) that he or she is doing this deliberately and enjoying it immensely.