HYPOBARIC HYPOXIA TRAINING AND THE RELEVANCE OF DETERMINING THE SO-CALLED RESERVE TIME IN POLISH PILOTS – PRELIMINARY REPORT

The paper summarizes the hitherto experience in methodology, safety measures, and effectiveness of training sessions conducted in the low-pressure chamber of the Military Institute of Aviation Medicine (WIML). These training sessions aim to familiarize flight personnel with the symptoms of reduced barometric pressure and acute hypoxic hypoxia (AHH) at a simulated altitude of 7,500 meters above sea level. Particular attention was given to psychomotor tests performed during the determination of the so-called reserve time (RT). In practice, RT is measured from the onset of AHH (disconnection of the trainee from supplementary oxygen and initiation of breathing ambient air in the low-pressure chamber) until arterial blood oxygen saturation reaches 70%, as measured by a fingertip pulse oximeter, or until the earlier occurrence of concerning symptoms of hypoxia. The need for verifying the training methodology, the type and assessment of psychomotor tests, and the individual RT values of pilots was justified in the context of aviation medicine. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of hypobaric hypoxia (HH) training and the relevance of clinical diagnostics in specific cases, ultimately contributing to flight safety. The paper highlights the necessity of addressing the questions posed in the conclusion.