Hemoglobin - Hypoxia at any Altitude
The title to this topic is linked to several pages of a site where the physiological altitude is directly related to carbon monoxide of cigarette smoking before and during a flight.
"Smoke, smoke, smoke that cigarette,"....so the song goes. I would think twice about that advice.
Hemoglobin, a large complex molecule found in red blood cells circulating in your blood vessels, can combine with oxygen in small, microscopic sacs in your lungs to create arterial blood (Blood saturated with oxygen).
Carbon monoxide is anywhere from 200 to 250 times more likely to combine with the hemoglobin than oxygen if it is present in the blood from smoking. This cuts down on the amount of oxygen delivered to your bodys' cells. It creates a condition called Hypoxia.
If you are not in shape and a heavy smoker your bodys' physiological altitude could be 3000 feet higher than your actual altitude. Thats not a way to get high! If you are not aware of the serious effects of hypoxia on your flying judgement and its impairment of your ability to operate your plane safely, click here to get a deeper perspective.
Wright-Patterson Air Force base provides physiological training that includes a demonstration, on you and fellow classmates, what are your distinct hypoxic symptoms.
When you know you have filed a flight plan for 12000 feet you expect to have oxygen equipment aboard and know how to use the system.
When you file a flight plan for 9000 feet and smoke heavily your physiological altitude is 12000 feet and you are not prepared for the impairment hypoxia will bring to your system.
The title to this topic is linked to several pages of a site where the physiological altitude is directly related to carbon monoxide of cigarette smoking before and during a flight.
"Smoke, smoke, smoke that cigarette,"....so the song goes. I would think twice about that advice.
Hemoglobin, a large complex molecule found in red blood cells circulating in your blood vessels, can combine with oxygen in small, microscopic sacs in your lungs to create arterial blood (Blood saturated with oxygen).
Carbon monoxide is anywhere from 200 to 250 times more likely to combine with the hemoglobin than oxygen if it is present in the blood from smoking. This cuts down on the amount of oxygen delivered to your bodys' cells. It creates a condition called Hypoxia.
If you are not in shape and a heavy smoker your bodys' physiological altitude could be 3000 feet higher than your actual altitude. Thats not a way to get high! If you are not aware of the serious effects of hypoxia on your flying judgement and its impairment of your ability to operate your plane safely, click here to get a deeper perspective.
Wright-Patterson Air Force base provides physiological training that includes a demonstration, on you and fellow classmates, what are your distinct hypoxic symptoms.
When you know you have filed a flight plan for 12000 feet you expect to have oxygen equipment aboard and know how to use the system.
When you file a flight plan for 9000 feet and smoke heavily your physiological altitude is 12000 feet and you are not prepared for the impairment hypoxia will bring to your system.
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