Helicopter Pilot Heat Stress
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London
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Dear Makiwa,
How refreshing it is to see that you can construct a cogent, clear, intelligent and gramatically correct discourse, instead of just insulting your fellow pilots.
I don't think the previous posters were complaining about working in uncomfortable conditions. I saw the thread as being a genuine discussion about whether certain conditions could lead to any degredation of decision making ability and consequent detrimental effect on safety.
All you could do was call your peers "pussies" and insinuate that they were in some way not macho enough to be in charge of a helicopter.
Your second post, however, had some valid points about your flying experience in differing conditions and your belief that it didn't affect your abilities.
Is it not better to enter into reasonable and polite discussion rather than flame and insult people who are trying to make the envioronment in which we operate safer?
Rant over.
LM
How refreshing it is to see that you can construct a cogent, clear, intelligent and gramatically correct discourse, instead of just insulting your fellow pilots.
I don't think the previous posters were complaining about working in uncomfortable conditions. I saw the thread as being a genuine discussion about whether certain conditions could lead to any degredation of decision making ability and consequent detrimental effect on safety.
All you could do was call your peers "pussies" and insinuate that they were in some way not macho enough to be in charge of a helicopter.
Your second post, however, had some valid points about your flying experience in differing conditions and your belief that it didn't affect your abilities.
Is it not better to enter into reasonable and polite discussion rather than flame and insult people who are trying to make the envioronment in which we operate safer?
Rant over.
LM
Just to throw this out there....This was todays "six minute" discussion, I know it relates to firefighters but worth reading all the same:
Six Minutes For Safety
HYDRATION
Studies conducted on wildland firefighters indicate that fire suppression activities generate about 7.5 kilocalories of heat each minute worked, or 450 kilocalories for each hour. Additional heat (about 180 kilocalories per hour) comes from the environment and the fire. The total heat load amounts to 580 kilocalories per hour (400 + 180 = 580). Complete evaporation of 1 liter of sweat removes 580 kilocalories of heat. In order to maintain a healthy body temperature, the firefighter needs to evaporate about 1 liter (slightly more than 1 quart) of sweat during each hour of work.
Maintaining body fluids is essential for sweating. You must hydrate before, during, and after work.
Before work you should take extra fluids to prepare for the heat. Drink 1 or 2 cups of water, juice, or a sport drink before work. Avoid excess caffeine; it hastens fluid loss in the urine.
While working drink at least 1 quart of fluid per hour. Drink as much as you can during the lunch break. Water is your greatest need during work in the heat.
Providing a portion of fluid replacement with a carbohydrate/electrolyte sport beverage will help you retain fluids and maintain energy and electrolyte levels.
After work it is important to continue drinking to replace fluid losses. Thirst always underestimates fluid needs, so you should drink more than you think you need.
Rehydration is enhanced when fluids contain sodium and potassium, or when foods with these electrolytes are consumed along with the fluid.
Unacclimatized workers lose more salt in the heat so they need to pay particular attention to salt replacement. Don’t overdo salt intake; too much salt impairs temperature regulation. Excessive salt can cause stomach distress, fatigue, and other problems.
Make potassium-rich foods like bananas and citrus fruits a regular part of your diet, and drink lots of lemonade, orange juice, or tomato juice.
Limit the amount of caffeine drinks such as coffee and colas because caffeine increases fluid loss. Avoid alcoholic drinks. They also cause dehydration.
You can assess your hydration by observing the volume, color, and concentration of your urine. Low volumes of dark, concentrated urine, or painful urination indicate a serious need for rehydration. Other signs of dehydration include a rapid heart rate, weakness, excessive fatigue, and dizziness.
Rapid loss of several pounds of body weight is a certain sign of dehydration. Rehydrate before returning to work; continuing to work in a dehydrated state can lead to serious consequences, including heat stroke, muscle breakdown, and kidney failure.
This one is good too
Edited to add additional link
Six Minutes For Safety
HYDRATION
Studies conducted on wildland firefighters indicate that fire suppression activities generate about 7.5 kilocalories of heat each minute worked, or 450 kilocalories for each hour. Additional heat (about 180 kilocalories per hour) comes from the environment and the fire. The total heat load amounts to 580 kilocalories per hour (400 + 180 = 580). Complete evaporation of 1 liter of sweat removes 580 kilocalories of heat. In order to maintain a healthy body temperature, the firefighter needs to evaporate about 1 liter (slightly more than 1 quart) of sweat during each hour of work.
Maintaining body fluids is essential for sweating. You must hydrate before, during, and after work.
Before work you should take extra fluids to prepare for the heat. Drink 1 or 2 cups of water, juice, or a sport drink before work. Avoid excess caffeine; it hastens fluid loss in the urine.
While working drink at least 1 quart of fluid per hour. Drink as much as you can during the lunch break. Water is your greatest need during work in the heat.
Providing a portion of fluid replacement with a carbohydrate/electrolyte sport beverage will help you retain fluids and maintain energy and electrolyte levels.
After work it is important to continue drinking to replace fluid losses. Thirst always underestimates fluid needs, so you should drink more than you think you need.
Rehydration is enhanced when fluids contain sodium and potassium, or when foods with these electrolytes are consumed along with the fluid.
Unacclimatized workers lose more salt in the heat so they need to pay particular attention to salt replacement. Don’t overdo salt intake; too much salt impairs temperature regulation. Excessive salt can cause stomach distress, fatigue, and other problems.
Make potassium-rich foods like bananas and citrus fruits a regular part of your diet, and drink lots of lemonade, orange juice, or tomato juice.
Limit the amount of caffeine drinks such as coffee and colas because caffeine increases fluid loss. Avoid alcoholic drinks. They also cause dehydration.
You can assess your hydration by observing the volume, color, and concentration of your urine. Low volumes of dark, concentrated urine, or painful urination indicate a serious need for rehydration. Other signs of dehydration include a rapid heart rate, weakness, excessive fatigue, and dizziness.
Rapid loss of several pounds of body weight is a certain sign of dehydration. Rehydrate before returning to work; continuing to work in a dehydrated state can lead to serious consequences, including heat stroke, muscle breakdown, and kidney failure.
This one is good too
Edited to add additional link
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
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But it's only for softies. 
where can I get a "ceiling" fan?
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Liverpool based Geordie, so calm down, calm down kidda!!
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I am not a big fan of aircon, it stops true acclimatisation. In Belize we were just sensible, however you felt tired once you passed 6 hours flying time in that humidity. I found that with aircon off, physical exercise (running) and plenty of fluids, you could acclimatise reasonably well.
For those more outspoken people on Pprune, you have the luxury of acclimatisation on your side. If you are operating a few weeks on/off in the middle east, you can struggle. Don't knock the surveys, because of them, we have cooled suits, better materials made available and employers who are forced to supply drinks and breaks. Today in Liverpool it is only +21 and 68% humidity outside, the cockpit is a bit worse. I actually felt really uncomfortable on my last flight, I am not a wimp or whinging by saying that, just stating a fact!!
It could be that I am fat I suppose
For those more outspoken people on Pprune, you have the luxury of acclimatisation on your side. If you are operating a few weeks on/off in the middle east, you can struggle. Don't knock the surveys, because of them, we have cooled suits, better materials made available and employers who are forced to supply drinks and breaks. Today in Liverpool it is only +21 and 68% humidity outside, the cockpit is a bit worse. I actually felt really uncomfortable on my last flight, I am not a wimp or whinging by saying that, just stating a fact!!
It could be that I am fat I suppose
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I know that there are cooling suits made for racing drivers to be worn under their nomex suits. I believe that they are not prohibitively expensive, as many amateurs buy them, and they are not affiliated with aviation. Check these guys out: http://www.fastraceproducts.com/page.../CTGY/coolsuit
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Interesting thread, amusing as well. I knew I was suffering from the effect of heat the other day simply because I noticed that I had a considerable lack of interest in what I was doing. Upon landing some time later for a coffee, I felt unusually tired. Unusual in the sense that there was no real reason for me being so. I slept well the night before and had not done very much up to this point. So I determined it was the heat [pretty unusual in these climes I know] since I dress for flight pretty much like an onion, I simply peeled a layer or two off, had some lunch and Bob's yer uncle......
I think most people can tell/feel the effects incipient as they are and as in my case, it is only complacence about the potential that gets you there in the first place. But I am in the UK so perhaps I can be forgiven for retaining my crap weather operating mode.
Best Wishes
I think most people can tell/feel the effects incipient as they are and as in my case, it is only complacence about the potential that gets you there in the first place. But I am in the UK so perhaps I can be forgiven for retaining my crap weather operating mode.
Best Wishes
Join Date: Aug 2005
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In Norway it is quite common to haw 12 C one day, and to days later the temperature is 35 C (and remember, up hear the sun those not go down in June and July), so how in the hell are you going to acclimatize when the whether is shifting so often? One day I am frizzing my ass off, and den I am sweating like a piggy!!!
And by the way, Makiwa, you are an arrogant Mother F….
And by the way, Makiwa, you are an arrogant Mother F….
fan
sgtfrog
I thought that is what we flywould be real worried if the big fan quits
There appears to be a lot of testosterone flying as well, don't think that keeps you cool.
It would be real nice to keep the posts non personal.
I thought that is what we flywould be real worried if the big fan quits
There appears to be a lot of testosterone flying as well, don't think that keeps you cool.
It would be real nice to keep the posts non personal.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Norway
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Unpleasent condititions
Could there be that the heat is making you aggressive, so that in fact you really are affected?
It seems to me that you are condescending towards other contributors in this forum.
Let there instead be a sharing of experience in a grown up way, so others can enjoy taking part in this disscussion.
I agree with pekka that you are a bit arrogant.
It seems to me that you are condescending towards other contributors in this forum.
Let there instead be a sharing of experience in a grown up way, so others can enjoy taking part in this disscussion.
I agree with pekka that you are a bit arrogant.
