Hyperventilation

Introduction to Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation results from a significant decrease in carbon dioxide content (CO₂) in the blood that, left untreated, can result in incapacitation.
You can make the symptoms of hyperventilation subside within a few minutes by consciously bringing your rate and depth of breathing back under control.
In some instances, however, its effects can be debilitating.
Prevention and proper awareness are key as a first-line defense against hyperventilation.
Think you've got a solid understanding of hyperventilation? Don't miss the hyperventilation quiz below and the topic summary.
WARNING:
All aeromedical topics are GENERALIZED.
Always consult with a doctor or physician to understand your specific situation.

Hyperventilation

Potential Causes of Hyperventilation

Encyclopedia Britannica, Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation is an abnormal increase in the volume of air breathed in and out of the lungs. [Figure 1]
- Stress.
- Panic.
- Anxiety.
- Hypoxia.
- Decreased carbon dioxide in the blood.
- Under conditions of stress and anxiety, a person's body reacts automatically to such stimuli, whether the danger be imaginary or real.
- One of these automatic reactions is a marked increase in breathing rate, which results in a significant decrease in the carbon dioxide content of the blood, a necessary step to regulate the breathing process automatically.
Risk factors provide pilots with additional context if they experience hyperventilation symptoms or if passengers experience them.
Encyclopedia Britannica, Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation Recognition

Hyperventilation Symptoms:
- As hyperventilation "blows off" excessive carbon dioxide from the body, a pilot can experience symptoms of:
  - Lightheadedness.
  - Nausea.
  - Suffocation.
  - Drowsiness.
  - Tingling in the extremities.
  - Coolness.
  - Dry mouth.
  - Blurred vision.
  - Rapid pulse and breathing rate.
- Early symptoms of hyperventilation are similar to those of hypoxia and some to ordinary airsickness.
  - Symptoms of both are not unique, and several can occur simultaneously.
    - Therefore, if a pilot using an oxygen system experiences symptoms, they should immediately set the regulator to deliver 100% oxygen, check the system to ensure it functions effectively, and then adjust their rate and depth of breathing.
- Symptoms can easily cause confusion and panic, which only aggravates the problem by further increasing anxiety and, thus, the breathing rate.
Debilitating Effects from Hyperventilation:
- First and foremost, hyperventilation can be a significant distraction to the safe operation of the aircraft.
- Incapacitation can eventually result from a lack of coordination, disorientation, and painful muscle spasms.
  - Eventually, unconsciousness can occur.
Once identified, pilots and passengers must take immediate action to address the conditions that resulted in hyperventilation, as well as the debilitating effects that followed its onset.

Hyperventilation

Recovering from Hyperventilation

The symptoms of hyperventilation subside within a few minutes after you consciously bring your rate and depth of breathing back under control.
The buildup of carbon dioxide in the body can be hastened by talking loudly or controlled breathing in and out of a paper bag held over the nose and mouth.
- This method does not force you to breathe carbon dioxide but instead forces you to think about your breathing rate.
  - This method may increase carbon dioxide levels too quickly, leaving it as a last resort.
- Recovery will occur within a few minutes.
If available, don an oxygen mask or system with the regulator set to 100% oxygen.
Remove the cause of stress, panic, or anxiety as able.
- If the source is an emergency that requires immediate attention, take a moment to recall your emergency procedure training.
If incapacitation occurs, then the body will naturally recover from the situation and slow the breathing rate.
As always, avoiding the need to take immediate action to treat hyperventilation starts with prevention.

Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation Prevention

Training, whether with an instructor or working through simulated scenarios, instills confidence in the event of a stressful situation.
- Systematic use of checklists during high-workload periods builds predictability, reducing anxiety.
If the breathing rate increases for any reason, take note and focus on controlled breathing.
Talking through a situation controls both breathing and stress.
Physical fitness ensures the body is in top physiological shape.

Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation Case Studies

The National Transportation Safety Board Identification: ATL90LA025:
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: Pilot's temporary physical condition (possible hyperventilation or anxiety attack). Soft terrain during the emergency landing was considered a related factor.
The National Transportation Safety Board Identification: DEN82DA125:
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: Physical impairment (other organic problem of the pilot in command.
The National Transportation Safety Board Identification: MIA78DLA01
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot in command's misjudgment of distance and speed, and physical impairment from hyperventilation.

Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation-Related Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Airman Certification Standards:
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with personal health, flight physiology, and aeromedical and human factors related to the safety of flight.
- References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge).
- Private Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Lesson Plan.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:
- PA.I.H.K1:
  Symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and corrective actions associated with aeromedical and physiological issues, including:
  
  PA.I.H.K1a:
  Hypoxia.
  
  PA.I.H.K1b:
  Hyperventilation.
  
  PA.I.H.K1c:
  Middle ear and sinus problems.
  
  PA.I.H.K1d:
  Spatial Disorientation.
  
  PA.I.H.K1e:
  Motion sickness.
  
  PA.I.H.K1f:
  Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
  
  PA.I.H.K1g:
  Stress.
  
  PA.I.H.K1h:
  Fatigue.
  
  PA.I.H.K1i:
  Dehydration and nutrition.
  
  PA.I.H.K1j:
  Hypothermia.
  
  PA.I.H.K1k:
  Optical Illusions.
  
  PA.I.H.K1l:
  Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives.
- PA.I.H.K2:
  Regulations regarding the use of alcohol and drugs.
- PA.I.H.K3:
  Effects of alcohol, drugs, and over-the-counter medications.
- PA.I.H.K4:
  Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) to include using Crew Resource Management (CRM) or Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM), as appropriate.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Risk Management:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks encompassing:
- PA.I.H.R1:
  Aeromedical and physiological issues.
- PA.I.H.R2:
  Hazardous attitudes.
- PA.I.H.R3:
  Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- PA.I.H.R4:
  Confirmation and expectation bias.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:
- PA.I.H.S1:
  Associate the symptoms and effects for at least three of the conditions listed in K1a through K1l above with the cause(s) and corrective action(s).
- PA.I.H.S2:
  Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, for actual flight or a scenario given by the evaluator.

Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation Knowledge Quiz

Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation Conclusion

Hyperventilation is simply a matter of breathing too rapidly.
It is seldom completely incapacitating, but it does produce one or more of the symptoms that are disturbing, if not alarming, to the uninformed pilot.
Hyperventilation can look just like hypoxia, depending on the symptoms displayed, and has resulted in numerous fatal accidents.
Understand the symptoms and how to recognize them in yourself and your passengers, along with the appropriate recovery methods.
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Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation

Introduction to Hyperventilation

Potential Causes of Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation Recognition

Hyperventilation Symptoms:

Debilitating Effects from Hyperventilation:

Recovering from Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation Prevention

Hyperventilation Case Studies

Hyperventilation-Related Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Airman Certification Standards:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Knowledge:

PA.I.H.K1:

PA.I.H.K1a:

PA.I.H.K1b:

PA.I.H.K1c:

PA.I.H.K1d:

PA.I.H.K1e:

PA.I.H.K1f:

PA.I.H.K1g:

PA.I.H.K1h:

PA.I.H.K1i:

PA.I.H.K1j:

PA.I.H.K1k:

PA.I.H.K1l:

PA.I.H.K2:

PA.I.H.K3:

PA.I.H.K4:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Risk Management:

PA.I.H.R1:

PA.I.H.R2:

PA.I.H.R3:

PA.I.H.R4:

Private Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Skills:

PA.I.H.S1:

PA.I.H.S2:

Hyperventilation Knowledge Quiz

Hyperventilation Conclusion

Hyperventilation References