Hypoxia training ensures symptom familiarization

U.S. Air Force Capt. Wes Spurling, 8th Operations Support Squadron operations flight commander assigned to Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, simulates flying in a hypoxia familiarization trainer at Misawa AB, Japan, May 20, 2015. Pilots are required to participate in this training to understand how their bodies react to a deficient amount of oxygen reaching their body, called hypoxia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter/Released)

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Hypoxia training ensures symptom familiarization

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Clark-Parrick, 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment journeyman, simulates flying in a hypoxia familiarization trainer at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2015. Hypoxia is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the body and is categorized by symptoms like tingling or warm sensations, lightheadedness, and euphoria. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter/Released)

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Hypoxia training ensures symptom familiarization

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Colby Fuller, 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment journeyman, participates in hypoxia familiarization training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2015. Aircrew flight equipment Airmen execute this training as a hands-on way to ensure pilot equipment is in its top-notch condition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter/Released)

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Hypoxia training ensures symptom familiarization

U.S. Air Force Capt. Joseph Teodoro, 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment flight commander, adjusts the amount of oxygen on the reduce oxygen breathing device during hypoxia familiarization training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2015. This system is designed to allow pilots the ability to experience hypoxia, a lack of oxygen reaching the body, in a controlled situation to identify the symptoms it causes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter/Released)

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Hypoxia training ensures symptom familiarization

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Clark-Parrick, 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment journeyman, participates in hypoxia familiarization training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2015. As part of the training, participants are prompted to recognize hypoxia symptoms and accurately apply emergency procedures. Because hypoxia doesn’t cause pain, it’s important that pilots are aware of how their body reacts to a lack of oxygen in order to safely execute their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter/Released)

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Hypoxia training ensures symptom familiarization

Published May 21, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- For pilots, flying has the possibility of turning into a life-or-death situation. Soaring at 10,000 feet or higher can produce hypoxia, a condition caused by lack of oxygen reaching the body. Symptoms gradually arise as tingling or warm sensations, lightheadedness, and euphoria, eventually leading to more serious effects and possibly losing control of the aircraft. Because hypoxia doesn't cause pain, it's important that pilots are aware of how their body reacts to a lack of oxygen in order to safely execute their mission.

As a way to increase awareness this condition, Misawa regularly conducts hypoxia familiarization training here. Airmen with the 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment participated in this training May 20 to ensure all pilot equipment is in its top-notch condition.