Originally Posted by
ElSupremo
In answer to the sports induced asthma question, would that make any difference if it was that? Is sport induced asthma classified as 'asthma' as far as the RAF and the RN are concerned?
I am answering this question for other wanabees as I think ElSupremo is a lost cause.
"Sports" is an energetic process (not billiards of course) whereby ordinarily sedentary civilians get to raise their pulse rate and oxygen intake requirements.
Servicemen commit "sport" for both entertainment and to get fit.
Unlike many civilians, servicemen then use the additional fitness to undertake more arduous physical activities that many civilians don't. Sticking now purely with aircrew, their flight bags and equipment are not neatly packed in shopping trolleys or on wheels; they have to be humped around.
They pull G. They breathe oxygen under pressure. They perform under stress. Breathing rates unconsciously increase, perhaps in an effort to increase oxygen supplies to the brain.
These are all activities that can lead to stress or exercise induced asthma attacks. "sports-induced" is therefore only one of several causes that might trigger an asthma attack.
From Nigeglib's post it can be seen that "course and severity are unpredictable, and sudden incapacitation is an uncommon but potential hazard for all asthmatics" Even civilian pilots can experience stress. Stress in civilian pilots may be more accute as a stressful situation may occur suddenly such as the BA777 crash or the Quantas depressurisation.