Cardiovascular Responses with TLSS, ATAGS, and Eagle Life Support Systems DuringRapid Decompression

摘要

This study compared the cardiovascular responses and degree of oxygen saturationof subjects exposed to 60,000 and 72,000 ft. rapid decompressions while wearing the U.S. Navy Enhanced Anti-G Lower Ensemble (EAGLE) and the U.S. Air Force Advanced Tactical Anti-G System (ATAGS) positive pressure breathing (PPB) ensembles. The subjects underwent the Tactical Life Support System (TLSS) integrated G-suit and PPB jerkin. Six subjects were rapidly decompressed from 22,500 to 60,000 ft. once with each of the ATAGS, EAGLE, and TLSS garments and from 35,000 ft. to 72,000 ft. once with the ATAGS and EAGLE garments. There were small but significant differences due to garment type on heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac index, and blood pressure, but all ensembles provided adequate protection against the adverse cardiovascular effects of PPB. Oxygen saturation was adequately maintained at 60,000 ft., with the TLSS garment providing the highest level of oxygenation. At 72,000 ft. the oxygen saturations of subjects wearing the ATAGS fell so rapidly that they were unable to complete a two minute exposure to 72,000 ft. Oxygen saturations were maintained at an adequate level in five of the six subjects with the EAGLE system.