|
Introduction to Glider Flying > Introduction to Glider Flying > Medical Factors Associated with Glider Flying > Drugs
Pilot performance can be seriously degraded
by both prescribed and over-the-counter medica-tions, as well
as by the medical conditions for which they are taken. Many
medications, such as tranquilizers, sedatives, strong pain relievers,
and cough-suppressants, have primary effects that may impair
judgment, memory, alertness, coordi-nation, vision, and the
ability to make calculations. Others, such as antihistamines,
blood pressure drugs, muscle relaxants, and agents to control
diarrhea and motion sickness, have side effects that may impair
the same critical functions. Any medication that depresses the
nervous system, such as a sedative, tranquilizer, or antihistamine,
can make a pilot much more susceptible to hypoxia.
Pain killers can be grouped into two broad
cate-gories: analgesics and anesthetics. Over-the-counter analgesics,
such as aspirin and codeine, are drugs that decrease pain. The
majority of the drugs that contain acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin),
acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen (Advil) have few side
effects when taken in the correct dosage. Although some people
are allergic to cer-tain analgesics or may suffer from stomach
irrita-tion, flying usually is not restricted when taking these
drugs. However, flying is almost always pre-cluded while using
prescription analgesics, such as Darvon, Percodan, Demerol,
and codeine, since these drugs may cause side effects such as
mental confusion, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vision problems.
Anesthetics are drugs that deaden pain or cause
a loss of consciousness. These drugs are commonly used for dental
and surgical procedures. Most local anes-thetics used for minor
dental and outpatient proce-dures wear off within a relatively
short period of time. Theanesthetic itself may not limit flying
so much as the actual procedure and subsequent pain. Stimulants
are drugs that excite the central nerv-o u s system and produce
an increase in alertness and activity. Amphetamines, caffeine,
and nicotine are all forms of stimulants. Common uses of these
drugs include appetite suppression, fatigue reduction, and mood
elevation. Some of these drugs may cause a stim -ulant reaction,
even though this reaction is not their primary function. In
some cases, stimulants can produce anxiety and mood swings,
both of which are dan-gerous when you fly.
Depressants are drugs that reduce the body’s
func-tioning in many areas. These drugs lower blood pressure,
reduce mental processing, and slow motor and reaction responses.
There are several types of drugs that can cause a depressing
effect on the body, including tranquilizers, motion sickness
medication, some types of stomach medication, decongestants,
and antihistamines. The most common depressant is alcohol.
Some drugs, which can neither be classified
as stimulants nor depressants, have adverse effects on flying.
For example, some forms of antibiotics can produce dangerous
side effects, such as balance disorders, hearing loss, nausea,
and vomiting. While many antibiotics are safe for use while
flying, the infec-tion requiring the antibiotic may prohibit
flying. In addition, unless specifically prescribed by a physician,
you should not take more than one drug at a time, and you should
never mix drugs with alcohol, because the effects are often
unpredictable.
The danger of illegal drugs also are well docu-mented.
Certain illegal drugs can have hallucina-tory effects that occur
days or weeks after the drug is taken. Obviously, these drugs
have no place in the aviation community.
Federal Aviation Regulations prohibit pilots
from performing crewmember duties while using any medication
that affects the faculties in any way contrary to safety. The
safest rule is not to fly as a crewmember while taking any medication,
unless approved to do so by the FAA. If there is any doubt regarding
the effects of any medication, consult an Aviation Medical Examiner
(AME) before flying.
|
