~ft
Twin Engine (Piston)
Section X
Safety Information
over-the-counter remedies and drugs such as aspirin, anti-
histamines, cold tablets, cough mixtures, laxatives, tranquil-
izers, and appetite suppressors, may seriously impair the
judgment and coordination needed while flying. The safest
rule is to take no medicine before or while flying, except
after consultation with your Aviation Medical Examiner.
SCUBA DIVING
Flying shortly after any prolonged scuba diving could be
dangerous. Under the increased pressure of the water,
excess nitrogen is absorbed into your system. If sufficient
time has not elapsed prior to takeoff for your system to rid
itself of this excess gas, you may experience the bends at
altitudes even under 10,000 feet, where most light planes
fly.
CARBON MONOXIDE
AND
NIGHT VISION
The presence of carbon monoxide results in hypoxia which
will affect night vision in the same manner and extent as
hypoxia from high altitudes. Even small levels of carbon
monoxide have the same effect as an altitude increase of
8,000 to 10,000 feet. Smoking several cigarettes can result
in a carbon monoxide saturation sufficient to affect visual
sensitivity equal to an increase of 8,000 feet altitude.
DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS
Pilots flying unpressurized airplanes at altitudes in excess of
10,000 feet should be alert for the symptoms of'decompres-
sion sickness'. This phenomenon, while rare, can impair the
pilot's ability to perform and in extreme cases, can result in
the victim being rendered unconscious. Decompression
sickness, also known as dysbarism and aviator's
"bends", is
caused by nitrogen bubble formation in body tissue as the
ambient air pressure is reduced by climbing to higher alti-
tudes. The symptoms are pain in the joints, abdominal
cramps, burning sensations in the skin, visual impairment
May, 1994 10-61
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