Flight Safety: Pilot Awareness of Body Dehydration

The educational process should start now as the heat of summer approaches and the chances increase for pilots to become dehydrated with increased risk for incidents and accidents.

Three Stages of Heat Exhaustion

Transition from one to the other can be very evident, hardly noticeable, or not evident at all.

Heat stress (body temperature, 99.5 – 100F) reduces

• Performance, dexterity, and coordination
• Ability to make quick decisions
• Alertness
• Visual capabilities
• Caution and caring

Heat exhaustion (101-105F) symptoms:

• Nausea/vomiting
• Fatigue
• Giddiness
• Cramps
• Rapid breathing
• Fainting

Heat stroke (105F) symptoms

• Body’s heat control mechanism stops working
• Mental confusion
• Disorientation
• Bizarre behavior
• Coma

Source: FAAViatioNews