Physiological training in Jordan
al-Wedyan, I.A.; Shahin, B.H.; Abu Ghosh, H.M.; al-Aqqad, S.S.; al-Qura'an, M.S.
Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 67(9): 882-884
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0095-6562 PMID: 9025808 Document Number: 463361
The hypobaric chamber is designed as a teaching aid in providing orientation for some of the physiological stresses in flight. Reactions during chamber training vary from mild ear block to neurocirculatory collapse. This is a retrospective study on reactions from 1986-94 in the hypobaric chamber training unit at King Hussien Medical Centre in Jordan; 39 cases were reported among 705 trainees in a 12-person rectangular hypobaric chamber. We analyzed the various reactions according to type, severity and altitude of occurrence. The most common reactions were found to be ear block (65%) and sinus block (25%). These were treated on the spot and followed for 48 h without sequelae. We did not have any moderate or severe reaction; we found that all reactions were minor, which reflects the efficacy of safety measures taken prior to and during training.