Heart rate responses to moderate linear body accelerations: clinical implications in aeromedical evacuation

Linear accelerations during take-off and landing were measured in both civilian and military aircraft usually involved in aeromedical evacuations in Denmark. Accelerations of similar durations and magnitudes were induced in six healthy subjects transported in an ambulance in different supine positions. Heart rate responses recorded depended significantly on the position of the subject. It was concluded that seriously ill patients must be positioned transversely to the axis of acceleration during aeromedical evacuation.