Case Study

Hypobaric chamber

Preparing military aircrew for the effects of hypoxia

Executive summary The brief Regulations require military aircrew to undergo exposure to New provide enhanced capabilities in terms of reduced pressure to better understand the effects of altitude speed, agility and altitude; as such aircrew training must hypoxia – a lack of oxygen. Our hypobaric chamber facility match these capabilities. Failures in life support at MOD Boscombe Down is one of the largest in Europe systems can lead to hypoxia, making the aircrew dizzy, that provides this capability. It enables aircrew to appreciate confused and potentially incapable of flying the aircraft. effects on their individual performance at altitude, and can Therefore, the Military Aviation Authority requires all test oxygen life support systems and equipment. aircrew to undergo exposure to reduced pressure in a hypobaric chamber. The aircrew need to know: - the causes and effects of altitude hypoxia - personal symptoms and signs - times of useful consciousness - factors influencing severity of hypoxia - how to prevent and manage hypoxia during flight, including the use of oxygen Our solution to stress, illness, age or medication. evaluation functions, such as Our hypobaric (low pressure) Using the hypobaric chamber assessing how life support equipment chamber facility, located at MOD provides a safe experience under responds to depressurisation, whether Boscombe Down, provides the professional supervision to increase that is explosive, rapid or steady, and physiological challenges of high aircrew’s ability to recognise hypoxia. may be used as part of a wider range altitude and hypoxia to human This prepares them for what to expect of services that explore the human subjects in a safe and repeatable and how to react in the more critical impact of hypoxia. environment. real-life situation.

One of the largest of its type in Using our hypobaric chamber, aircrew Europe, the facility enables safe and can learn to identify hypoxia repeatable human testing of aircrew symptoms before safety is life support equipment, combined compromised in an aircraft. The with physiological and medical effects of changing ambient pressure on the gas-containing cavities in the monitoring and the ability to collect The hypobaric chamber experimental data during studies. This human body, especially the ears and information is then used to assist sinuses, are also demonstrated. can simulate cabin altitudes learning and enhance subject training Guided by our experts, aircrew receive of all types of military and to ensure safety during flight. personalised experience of the effects of hypoxia in a representative but safe commercial aircraft training environment. Outcomes and benefits For more information, contact Everyone reacts differently to a lack of The hypobaric chamber facility serves [email protected] oxygen, and effects can change due additional research, test and or call 0800 015 0594

For further information QinetiQ is always on your side, protecting, improving and please contact: advancing your vital interests Cody Technology Park Ively Road, Farnborough Hampshire, GU14 0LX +44 (0)1252 392000 [email protected] Copyright QinetiQ Ltd 2018 | Hypobaric Chamber QINETIQ/18/03923 www.QinetiQ.com