Pilot Dies of DVT
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: singapore
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pilot Dies of DVT
SIA A345 Ultra Long Range Capt collapse after flight and dies. Investigations indicated the 49 year old pilot had passed away after being struck by DVT. So this is a sad reminder to all the dangers of DVT on long flights. Best take the pee break even if you dont need it.
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are right, one should never under estimate the danger, but I wonder what the exact reason for his DVT was? I was an airline pilot for over 30 years and suffered twice in the last 10 years from a DVT. Fortunately I was referred to a top man at the local University Hospital. He discovered I suffered from a gene defect known as Factor V Leiden. This meant that I was susceptible to clotting. After the first DVT I was allowed back to flying but had to inject myself with an anti-clotting agent (lasted about 24 hours) before each flight. The second DVT occurred while on leave and being hit on the leg with a heavy wooden shelf. The resulting trauma caused a clot and that was the end of my flying career. Too many people, both aircrew and passengers, are unaware of this condition and others of a similar nature and the press with its banner headlines about "Economy Syndrome" have not helped. Especially passengers are wont to think it is flying that causes a DVT. This is probably the result , the cause being perhaps a medical condition they themselves are carrying.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: u.k.
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I really think this should serve as an alarm bell to all flight deck crew of the dangers to sitting for long periods,i also think airlines and the CAA dont look after crew welfare enough;they should be reviewing the 900hr flying limits,it is not a healthy environment and thier should now be calls for more restrictive FTLs on the grounds of aircrew health....
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Metro
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry to intrude on your forum, and condolences to the pilot's friends and family.
As stumpie states, there are underlying conditions, such as his inherited gene, trauma, and forced immobility, which predispose people to dvt formation.
I'm not sure whether the incidence of dvt's in long haul pilots has been demonstrated to be greater than that of joe public, statistically- my more learned colleagues on the medical & health forum may know better than I. Last I heard, there have been some studies commissioned, but I havn't seen any results.
I'm sure I,m preaching to the converted, but the usual measures which cut down the risk of dvt should be encouraged- calf pump exercises, maintain hydration, and avoid alcohol 24 hrs prior to flight is the usual advice to people travelling long haul. Compression stockings can be used for those at risk, but I'm not sure if pilots would fit into this category.
Anyhow, 49 is too young to die.
As stumpie states, there are underlying conditions, such as his inherited gene, trauma, and forced immobility, which predispose people to dvt formation.
I'm not sure whether the incidence of dvt's in long haul pilots has been demonstrated to be greater than that of joe public, statistically- my more learned colleagues on the medical & health forum may know better than I. Last I heard, there have been some studies commissioned, but I havn't seen any results.
I'm sure I,m preaching to the converted, but the usual measures which cut down the risk of dvt should be encouraged- calf pump exercises, maintain hydration, and avoid alcohol 24 hrs prior to flight is the usual advice to people travelling long haul. Compression stockings can be used for those at risk, but I'm not sure if pilots would fit into this category.
Anyhow, 49 is too young to die.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SEA (or better PAE)
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
YEap, deep vein trombosis.
It can be related however to periferral arhtery desease meaning poor perifferal circulation.
Too bad that this is recognizied only recently as a vast problem.
It can be related however to periferral arhtery desease meaning poor perifferal circulation.
Too bad that this is recognizied only recently as a vast problem.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Blighty
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Prone-ness to thrombosis is called "thrombophilia" (should you wish to go Google-ing).
There are many genetic causes.
Factor V Leiden is present in about 1 in 20 europeans.
Inherited from one parent, it gives an approx 8x increased risk of thrombosis. Inherited from both parents, the risk soars to 80x.
In the UK these conditions are little known - and rarely tested for.
My mother suffered a PE (blood clot in the lung) - ambulance and a week on Oxygen. My brother had a DVT. His (french) doctor had the tests done. And discovered Factor V Leiden.
My mother went to her doc with his results - and the doc agreed that she ought therefore to be tested (result: positive) and because of that she is not coming off anticoagulant 6 months after her PE, as had previously been decided.
Now, if it hadn't been for the brother's episode and his french tests, the NHS wouldn't have bothered to check for this condition. They hadn't at the hospital or the GP's.
If you have *any* family history of Thrombosis, especially if you are a European Caucasian, you ought to become aware of this stuff.
Take a look -
http://www.thrombosis-charity.org.uk...congenital.htm
There are many genetic causes.
Factor V Leiden is present in about 1 in 20 europeans.
Inherited from one parent, it gives an approx 8x increased risk of thrombosis. Inherited from both parents, the risk soars to 80x.
In the UK these conditions are little known - and rarely tested for.
My mother suffered a PE (blood clot in the lung) - ambulance and a week on Oxygen. My brother had a DVT. His (french) doctor had the tests done. And discovered Factor V Leiden.
My mother went to her doc with his results - and the doc agreed that she ought therefore to be tested (result: positive) and because of that she is not coming off anticoagulant 6 months after her PE, as had previously been decided.
Now, if it hadn't been for the brother's episode and his french tests, the NHS wouldn't have bothered to check for this condition. They hadn't at the hospital or the GP's.
If you have *any* family history of Thrombosis, especially if you are a European Caucasian, you ought to become aware of this stuff.
Take a look -
http://www.thrombosis-charity.org.uk...congenital.htm
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: West
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Indications?
What did these people do or not do that resulted in DVT?
Is it simply sitting in the seat for 3+ hours?
Did these guys have symptoms of numbness (a leg falling asleep)?
Does anyone know what symptoms they had after the flight?
Did they have difficulty walking up the jetway?
Or was it something that developed hours after the flight...maybe some kind of discomfort in a leg?
I wonder if there were previous flights where they had similar discomfort which cleared up after a few days? A type of "warning."
Is it simply sitting in the seat for 3+ hours?
Did these guys have symptoms of numbness (a leg falling asleep)?
Does anyone know what symptoms they had after the flight?
Did they have difficulty walking up the jetway?
Or was it something that developed hours after the flight...maybe some kind of discomfort in a leg?
I wonder if there were previous flights where they had similar discomfort which cleared up after a few days? A type of "warning."
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Switzerland, Singapore
Posts: 1,309
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
May I remind everyone that best prophylaxis against all these kind of deseases is regular body exercise, no smoking and moderate drinking - in short: a healthy lifestyle.
Foremost train your cardiovascular system: jogging, swimming, biking, skating, skiing. Keep your body weight (index) low and eat less fat (new schools promote not to eat too much processed carbonhydrate).
This also applies for passenger, not only for crews!
Healthy flying!
Dani
Foremost train your cardiovascular system: jogging, swimming, biking, skating, skiing. Keep your body weight (index) low and eat less fat (new schools promote not to eat too much processed carbonhydrate).
This also applies for passenger, not only for crews!
Healthy flying!
Dani
Last edited by Dani; 16th Nov 2005 at 09:36.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ISTANBUL
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A doctor once told me to strecth tight the lower leg muscles during flight. That's what I am doing.
The bad side of ultra/long haul flying is that not only during flight but also before the flight you have to rest and after the flight although you did not make much "physical effort" you are tired and you take rest again.
So for a 10-13 hours flight it makes something like
- 8-10 hours time in bed
- 1 hour preparing for flight
- 1 hour going to the airport
- 1hour 30min briefing and going to the a/c
- 10-13 hours flight
- 30 min disembarktion
- 1-1 hour 30min getting out of the airport and going to hotel
So it makes a total of 22hours 30 min to 28 hours.
If you go to sleep when you arrive at the hotel then add extra 8 hours to the above hours.
You are not making "physical activity" during this time ! Only small walkings that is it.
Guclu
The bad side of ultra/long haul flying is that not only during flight but also before the flight you have to rest and after the flight although you did not make much "physical effort" you are tired and you take rest again.
So for a 10-13 hours flight it makes something like
- 8-10 hours time in bed
- 1 hour preparing for flight
- 1 hour going to the airport
- 1hour 30min briefing and going to the a/c
- 10-13 hours flight
- 30 min disembarktion
- 1-1 hour 30min getting out of the airport and going to hotel
So it makes a total of 22hours 30 min to 28 hours.
If you go to sleep when you arrive at the hotel then add extra 8 hours to the above hours.
You are not making "physical activity" during this time ! Only small walkings that is it.
Guclu
Join Date: May 2005
Location: u.k.
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think there should be a review of policies at some airlines who ban thier crew from having a walk through the cabin.I think it is essential with this job...it is a very sedentary life.
My average day at a low cost airline involved 12hr duty(sitting)...driving home m25 2hr(sitting)...then straight to bed exhausted (sleeping)...
I'm sure this is what a lot of guys do week to week....not the most active of lifestyles,but maybe this is a wake up call to lead a more active life for some,and policy setting changes for airlines.
My average day at a low cost airline involved 12hr duty(sitting)...driving home m25 2hr(sitting)...then straight to bed exhausted (sleeping)...
I'm sure this is what a lot of guys do week to week....not the most active of lifestyles,but maybe this is a wake up call to lead a more active life for some,and policy setting changes for airlines.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
Age: 42
Posts: 6,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you guys now prisoners on the flight deck? Allowed to furtively use the bathroom when the passenger's attention is diverted?
Shame - I remember being invited upstairs to visit the flight deck of a BA 747-200 going east from Miami to Gatwick. Educational, informative and a joy to see the world from up there. The crew were all professional and appreciated a little intelligent conversation (honest) as a little diversion. It being the middle of the night and all.
Now we live in different times. What I would say to all the people who hate our way of life is go and live your own lives your own way, without our help. Give us back our technology, our aircraft, our ideas and live in the middle ages if you wish. That way the Captian might get to meet the passengers again...... civilised that.
Shame - I remember being invited upstairs to visit the flight deck of a BA 747-200 going east from Miami to Gatwick. Educational, informative and a joy to see the world from up there. The crew were all professional and appreciated a little intelligent conversation (honest) as a little diversion. It being the middle of the night and all.
Now we live in different times. What I would say to all the people who hate our way of life is go and live your own lives your own way, without our help. Give us back our technology, our aircraft, our ideas and live in the middle ages if you wish. That way the Captian might get to meet the passengers again...... civilised that.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: uk
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having had both my brother and father suffer from blood clots, their doctor told them that whenever they go on a flight longer than about 2hrs, they should take aspirin.
Every long-haul flight we go on now, we all take 1 aspirin the day before the flight, 2 the day of the flight, and one the day after.
Hadn't really thought about it at work as most flights are around 3 hrs, but maybe I'll start taking it a bit more regularly.
Every long-haul flight we go on now, we all take 1 aspirin the day before the flight, 2 the day of the flight, and one the day after.
Hadn't really thought about it at work as most flights are around 3 hrs, but maybe I'll start taking it a bit more regularly.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: here and there
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well this looks like its becoming a problem, and yes there is quite a lot on DVT, just go to google or whatever your search engine is and type in DVT, there is quite a bit of information there...I know, as I got DVT last year flying across the Atlantic a few times.
It was not pleasant, as I didn't know what was wrong with me...I could hardly walk from the aeroplane to the terminal without stopping and I'd be totally out of breath after a few steps.
The next day I felt something move in the back of my leg from the upper thigh past the knee then my whole left calf became very swollen and hot to touch.
I was stuck in the West Indies for 5 days and eventually crewed back to the U.K. still not inderstanding the problem...then I though it would just go away, but no so I went to see a GP and he rushed me of to hospital where it was confirmed as DVT.
Heprin Injections then on Warfarin to maintain an INR of 2.5 or there abouts, for min of 4 months but usually 6 months...you are considered unfit to fly as the CAA does not allow you to fly while on this medication.
I had lots of tests, to see if I were pre disposed to DVT...I was not, however, I will not trust it, as we can see it can kill. within days another pilot ended up in hospital as well with PE (pulmonary embolism), which is DVT, he was out for nearly 6 months.
Seems like its to do with lack of oxygen on long flights, dehydration, previous history of DVT of which you may not be aware of, being over weight, and so on...but I see it very dangerous and I was lucky, because if that clot breaks away and travels to your brain of heart, you can imagine what could be the result.....
It was not pleasant, as I didn't know what was wrong with me...I could hardly walk from the aeroplane to the terminal without stopping and I'd be totally out of breath after a few steps.
The next day I felt something move in the back of my leg from the upper thigh past the knee then my whole left calf became very swollen and hot to touch.
I was stuck in the West Indies for 5 days and eventually crewed back to the U.K. still not inderstanding the problem...then I though it would just go away, but no so I went to see a GP and he rushed me of to hospital where it was confirmed as DVT.
Heprin Injections then on Warfarin to maintain an INR of 2.5 or there abouts, for min of 4 months but usually 6 months...you are considered unfit to fly as the CAA does not allow you to fly while on this medication.
I had lots of tests, to see if I were pre disposed to DVT...I was not, however, I will not trust it, as we can see it can kill. within days another pilot ended up in hospital as well with PE (pulmonary embolism), which is DVT, he was out for nearly 6 months.
Seems like its to do with lack of oxygen on long flights, dehydration, previous history of DVT of which you may not be aware of, being over weight, and so on...but I see it very dangerous and I was lucky, because if that clot breaks away and travels to your brain of heart, you can imagine what could be the result.....
Last edited by Fountain Pen; 17th Nov 2005 at 06:12.
Longtimelurker
Join Date: Nov 1998
Location: killington Vt
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've had a DVT and still fly.I make the effort now to get up every 2 to 3 hrs,drink lots of water up to 2 liters on an 8 hr leg and I carry a Sports Cord and due some leg exercises in my seat after I get up .Having a good diet and riding my bike lots helps too.