Psychophysiological training of pilots for cases of emergency cockpit decompression

Introduction. In the stratosphere, when the aircraft cockpit is depressurized, the pilot switches to breathing pressurized oxygen. However, breathing under such conditions leads to the development of adverse processes that affect the functional state of the body and reduce the quality of aircraft piloting. Programs of psychophysiological training of pilots for such conditions include breathing and speech training under oxygen overpressure.

Objective. Effectiveness assessment of a five-day breathing and speech training course under oxygen overpressure in Vietnamese test subjects.

Materials and methods. The study involved 35 Vietnamese test subjects aged 19–32. The assessment of the development of breathing skills under oxygen overpressure (OOP) was based on the dynamics of psychological parameters and the pronunciation accuracy of control words. The study used a KM-35 demand oxygen mask in combination with a ZSh-7A pilot protective helmet and a VKK-15 altitude compensating suit to create counterpressure on the chest. OOP was created using the BARS-GD hardware and software complex. The developed course of breathing and speech training under OOP consists of five OOP breathing sessions, which are conducted once a day during five consecutive days. Each session involves breathing under OOP in a sequential and continuous manner at five stages with a breathing time of 2 min at each stage. OOP was created at levels ranging 150–1000 mmHg. The functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) was assessed based on the average time of simple and complex visual-motor reactions (SVMR, CVMR) and the response to a moving object (RMO). The level of situational anxiety, well-being, activity, and mood was assessed using the wellbeing, activity, mood (WAM) questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 26 software.

Results. As a result of the five-day training course, a statistically significant decrease in the pre-stress level of situational anxiety by 3.9% was observed. Prior to the training course, in the setting of simulated rapid cockpit decompression, a decrease in well-being and mood indicators by 3.7% and 5.7%, respectively, was noted. In addition, the experiment recorded an increase in psychophysiological reserves, which was confirmed by statistically significant changes in the time of simple and complex visual-motor reactions, as well as the results of testing the response to a moving object before and after the training course.

Conclusions. The data obtained confirmed the effectiveness of the developed five-day training course, as a result of which the test subjects increased their psychological and psychophysiological readiness to perform tasks under conditions of a sharp decrease in pressure in the pressurized cabin of an aircraft and the operation of high-altitude equipment. The developed five-day training regime of Vietnamese military personnel is recommended for integration into the training system of pilots for high-altitude and stratospheric flights.

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