Aviat Space Envir Md
-
Maintaining optimal alertness and neurobehavioral functioning during space operations is critical to enable the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) vision "to extend humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars and beyond" to become a reality. Field data have demonstrated that sleep times and performance of crewmembers can be compromised by extended duty days, irregular work schedules, high workload, and varying environmental factors. This paper documents evidence of significant sleep loss and disruption of circadian rhythms in astronauts and associated performance decrements during several space missions, which demonstrates the need to develop effective countermeasures. ⋯ Investing research in humans is one of NASA's building blocks that will allow for both short- and long-duration space missions and help NASA in developing approaches to manage and overcome the human limitations of space travel. In addition to reviewing the current state of knowledge concerning sleep and circadian disruptions during space operations, this paper provides an overview of NASA's broad research goals. Also, NASA-funded research, designed to evaluate the relationships between sleep quality, circadian rhythm stability, and performance proficiency in both ground-based simulations and space mission studies, as described in the 2003 NASA Task Book, will be reviewed.
-
We assessed the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in maintaining normal calcium and bone homeostasis in underway submariners deprived of sunlight. ⋯ 400-IU daily vitamin D supplementation was insufficient in maintaining serum vitamin D levels in underway submariners, engendering biochemical evidence of bone resorption and turnover. Six d sunlight exposure compensated for 49 d sunlight absence, supporting the enormous capacity of UV-B mediated vitamin D production.
-
Aviat Space Envir Md · May 2005
Basic life support in microgravity: evaluation of a novel method during parabolic flight.
If a cardiac arrest occurs in microgravity, the aim of current emergency procedures is to treat the patient using a medical restraint system within 2 min. The patient may require treatment while medical equipment is being deployed. The capability for one person, unaided, to successfully perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is, therefore, of paramount importance. A new technique has been developed whereby the practitioner encircles the thorax of the patient with his/her legs to restrain the patient to allow CPR to be performed in microgravity. ⋯ Although difficulties in performing this method during parabolic flight primarily affected compression rate, it may be possible to conduct basic life support using this technique in any microgravity environment.
-
Aviat Space Envir Md · Apr 2005
Comparative StudyMiddle East aircrew use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and medicaments.
The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of the use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and various medications among flying crew and clerks working in a ministry in Kuwait. ⋯ Flying crew differ very much from a socially comparable segment of the local population, but it is not possible to discern the impact of occupational risks (jet leg and night shifts) from exposure to foreign influences and, as for alcohol and sedatives, from easier availability.
-
Aviat Space Envir Md · Apr 2005
Comparative StudyAssessment of simulated surgical skills in parabolic microgravity.
During spaceflight crew health is paramount in the success of flight missions. The delivery of healthcare during flight requires crew readiness for medical and surgical response. ⋯ There is a decreased frequency of accurate task completion in parabolic microgravity flight, but it is not an obstacle to implementation of effective training for providing in-flight medical care. The data reveal that individuals perform basic laparoscopic surgical simulation with greater effort in microgravity following simulation training.