Name two physiological stresses commonly encountered at altitude.

Name two physiological stresses commonly encountered at altitude.

• A. Hyperventilation and dehydration.
• B. Barotrauma and motion sickness.
• C. Hypoxia and fatigue.
• D. Decompression sickness and hypothermia.

Answer: (C)

At altitude the air is thinner, so the amount of oxygen you breathe per breath is reduced. This lowers the partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs and consequently the oxygen delivered to tissues, creating hypoxia. Even with increased breathing and heart rate, the body still operates with less oxygen, which slows cellular energy production and stamina. That limited oxygen supply and the resulting drop in energy manifest as fatigue, a common and expected stress for aircrew at altitude. These two stresses are the most direct and universal altitude-related challenges. Other options involve issues tied to rapid pressure changes or environmental cold, which can occur but are not as routinely experienced as hypoxia and fatigue in normal high-altitude conditions.

At altitude the air is thinner, so the amount of oxygen you breathe per breath is reduced. This lowers the partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs and consequently the oxygen delivered to tissues, creating hypoxia. Even with increased breathing and heart rate, the body still operates with less oxygen, which slows cellular energy production and stamina. That limited oxygen supply and the resulting drop in energy manifest as fatigue, a common and expected stress for aircrew at altitude.

These two stresses are the most direct and universal altitude-related challenges. Other options involve issues tied to rapid pressure changes or environmental cold, which can occur but are not as routinely experienced as hypoxia and fatigue in normal high-altitude conditions.