Human Performance and Limitations
Basic physiology
Understand the respiratory and circulatory systems, hypoxia, hyperventilation, and the effects of cabin altitude. Know the time of useful consciousness at various altitudes and the difference between hypoxic and hypemic hypoxia. Know the effects of carbon monoxide and the symptoms of decompression sickness.
Vision, hearing, and orientation
Know the structure of the eye, the distribution of rods and cones, night vision, and the blind spot. Understand spatial disorientation, the somatogravic and somatogyral illusions, and the leans. Know the limits of the ear for orientation and the importance of trusting instruments.
Stress, fatigue, and workload
Understand the difference between acute and chronic fatigue, circadian rhythm, and the effects of sleep loss. Know the meaning of situation awareness, workload, and the error chain. Know the effects of alcohol, medication, and drugs, and the relevant limits.
Traps
Questions confuse hypoxia with hyperventilation, and the somatogravic with the somatogyral illusion. Another favourite: the effect of age on night vision and the time needed for dark adaptation.
Worked example
At FL 350, time of useful consciousness is roughly 30-60 seconds after a rapid decompression. The correct action is to don the oxygen mask first, then descend. Rule of thumb: the higher the cabin altitude, the shorter the time of useful consciousness.