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Tracking performance with two breathing oxygen concentrations after high altitude rapid decompressionCurrent military aircraft Liquid Oxygen (LOX) systems supply 99.5 pct. gaseous Aviator's Breathing Oxygen (ABO) to aircrew. Newer Molecular Sieve Oxygen Generation Systems (MSOGS) supply breathing gas concentration of 93 to 95 pct. O2. The margin is compared of hypoxia protection afforded by ABO and MSOGS breathing gas after a 5 psi differential rapid decompression (RD) in a hypobaric research chamber. The barometric pressures equivalent to the altitudes of 46000, 52000, 56000, and 60000 ft were achieved from respective base altitudes in 1 to 1.5 s decompressions. During each exposure, subjects remained at the simulated peak altitude breathing either 100 or 94 pct. O2 with positive pressure for 60 s, followed by a rapid descent to 40000 ft. Subjects used the Tactical Life Support System (TLSS) for high altitude protection. Subcritical tracking task performance on the Performance Evaluation Device (PED) provided psychomotor test measures. Overall tracking task performance results showed no differences between the MSOGS breathing O2 concentration of 94 pct. and ABO. Significance RMS error differences were found between the ground level and base altitude trials compared to peak altitude trials. The high positive breathing pressures occurring at the peak altitudes explained the differences.
Document ID
19920013106
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Nesthus, Thomas E.
(Krug Life Sciences, Inc., San Antonio TX., United States)
Schiflett, Samuel G.
(Aerospace Medical Research Labs. Brooks AFB, TX., United States)
Oakley, Carolyn J.
(Aerospace Medical Research Labs. Brooks AFB, TX., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Johnson Space Center, 5th Annual Workshop on Space Operations Applications and Research (SOAR 1991), Volume 2
Subject Category
Behavioral Sciences
Accession Number
92N22349
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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