# Dangers Hypoxia is extremely dangerous for pilots. Side effects include impaired judgement and decision-making; decreased response time; visual impairment; and eventually, unconsciousness. For these reasons, pilots need to be extremely vigilant to detect and avoid hypoxia. # Types of Hypoxia 1. **Hypoxic Hypoxia**: Not enough available oxygen. This is most common in pilots flying at higher altitudes 2. **Hypemic Hypoxia**: Oxygen is available, but the body is not able to take it up. [[Carbon Monoxide Poisoning]] falls in this category. 3. **Stagnant Hypoxia**: This is due to a blockage that keeps oxygen from flowing. The classic example is an arm or leg "falling asleep". 4. **Histotoxic Hypoxia**: The inability of cells to make use of the oxygen delivered to them, often due to alcohol or drugs. # Detection ## Symptoms 1. Impaired judgement and decreased response time! 2. Headache 3. Euphoria 4. Visual Impairment 5. Drowsiness 6. Tingling, especially of fingertips 7. Lightheaded 8. Lips and fingernails: blue for hypoxic hypoxia; red for carbon monoxide poisoning > [!Note] Numbers 1-5 are the same as [[Hyperventilation]] ## Tools 1. Pulse Oxymeter 2. Carbon Monoxide monitor # Avoiding Hypoxia > [!quote] From [[AIM 8]] > For optimum protection, pilots are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet during the day, and above 5,000 feet at night. #todo :: add other ways to avoid # Resources - [[PHAK Ch17]] - [[AIM 8]] ***Definition*** :: state of oxygen deficiency in the body sufficient to impair functions of the brain and other organs ***Source*** :: [[AIM 8]] ***Related To***: [[Carbon Monoxide Poisoning]], [[Hyperventilation]] #glossary #aeromedical