Lungs

[Capt BK]

Hi,. .. .I've had a class 2 medical for just over a year now and when the AME signed me off he told me I shouldn't have any problem getting a class 1. However, I had my works medical last week (still a wannabe so in a ground based job at the mo) and after the bit where you blow into a tube a couple of times for lung capacity and peak flow I was told I have a lung age of 37 - I'm ony 24!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> . .I've never smoked and I have relatively fit, this has worried me now because i've got my class one on April 4th.. .Does anyone know if this is bad?? Will I be waved away from Gatwick with my dreams in tatters?. .. .Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.. .. .CBK. . . . <small>[ 13 March 2002, 16:07: Message edited by: Capt BK ]</small>

[fernytickles]

I have never been able to make the bottom line on that blow thing - and I've had a 1st class medical for 11 years. Why being able to blow into a tube makes you a safe pilot, I'm never quite sure, and neither is the doctor when I ask them, but I'm sure someone knows. I see you are a chemical technician - are you inhaling lots of gunky stuff?. .. .Good luck huffing and puffing

[The Islander]

Capt BK,. .It might be to do with your technique! I'm not taking the pith here, but like you I had widely varying results when I blew into the Spirometer (I think that's what they call it).. .. .First time I was told to put my teeth on the outside of the tube and I hardly moved the disc. On the second attempt I exhaled through a much narrower gap between my teeth and blew the disc to the end! . .. .Hope this helps. Good luck with the Class One and remember.... .. ...chin-up, chest out <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .(now I'm taking the pi**!)

[Capt BK]

Thanks for the posts.. .. .Im starting to chill out a bit more now, im should be far too young to get stressed out over such things.. .Ferytickles - I used to have to breathe in all sorts of gunk, none of it good for you. But I now work in a nice air conditioned control room so im slowly going blind staring at screens for 8hrs a day!. .Islander - I was talking to a nurse the other night and she mentioned my technique as well, i hope she was talking about lung capacity (seriously though, she was).. .. .CBK. . . . <small>[ 15 March 2002, 01:47: Message edited by: Capt BK ]</small>

[gingernut]

Sounds like its more of a problem of the test, rather than your lungs ! Remember any physiological average, is just that, an average. Asking me what a normal peak flow rate is for your age, is like asking me what a normal height is ! Someone who is 5 foot 2 is as "normal" as a lofty 6 footer ! Difficult to interpret your results without seeing them, but it sounds like you are within the range of what is considered normal. . .PS consider obtaining a peak flow meter from your friendly chemist/GP/asthmatic as technique is important. Your local asthma nurse (usually located at your health centre) can perform spirometry if you have any doubts.! Good luck.

[gas_man]

lung function tests are quite difficult to interpret and are often of little value, unless they are markedly down. . .i am NOT an aviation physician , but i think you should not worry too much about lung function tests. technique matters and usually one should take the best of three tests , not the average as far i know. . .don't smoke , every now and then take a deep breath to open out your lungs , and maintain a healthy life style.

[gas_man]

lung function tests are quite difficult to interpret and are often of little value, unless they are markedly down. . .i am NOT an aviation physician , but i think you should not worry too much about lung function tests. technique matters and usually one should take the best of three tests , not the average as far i know. . .don't smoke , every now and then take a deep breath to open out your lungs , and maintain a healthy life style. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />

[Capt BK]

Just to let you know I had my initial class 1 yesterday and everything went well, just waiting for the certificate. Overall it took longer then usual because the receptionist forgot to put my file through so I was at there in my gown for an hour and a half while everyone else went in and out, why do these things always happen to me???

Thanks for your help, now onto groundschool.....