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G-LOC recovery with and without G-suit inflation
E M Forster1, J P Cammarota, J E Whinnery
1Aerial Combat Maneuvering Enhancement Laboratory (ACME), Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Warminster, PA 18974-5000.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Immediately inflating the anti-G suit (AGS) after G-LOC may reduce incapacitation time. This rapid AGS inflation helps aircrew regain environmental awareness faster post-G-LOC, despite continued motor impairment.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Medicine
- Human Factors Engineering
- Physiology
Background:
- Anti-G suits (AGS) are critical for protecting aircrew during high-G acceleration.
- Standard practice deflates the AGS upon cessation of acceleration, even after G-LOC.
- This leaves aircrew vulnerable when they most need AGS support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a method for reducing incapacitation time following +Gz-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC).
- To assess the impact of immediate AGS inflation upon G-LOC.
- To compare outcomes between aircrew receiving immediate AGS inflation and those who do not.
Main Methods:
- Thirty aircrew undergoing +Gz tolerance training had their AGS (CSU15-P) inflated to 10 psi immediately upon G-LOC (GS group).
- Fifty-one aircrew served as a control group (NGS group) with standard AGS deflation procedures.
- Incapacitation times and flailing activity were recorded and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Absolute incapacitation was significantly reduced in the GS group (p = 0.024).
- The GS group showed longer periods of flailing during relative incapacitation (p = 0.0003).
- Total incapacitation duration was not significantly affected, but confusion and convulsions were more frequent in the GS group.
Conclusions:
- Immediate AGS inflation upon G-LOC appears to shorten absolute incapacitation by approximately 2 seconds.
- This intervention may enhance trainee awareness of their environment and G-LOC event sooner.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of altered motor function recovery and post-G-LOC symptoms.