Abstract
Medical personnel who use aircraft to transport patients should be familiar with the general principles of altitude physiology, the basic characteristics of aircraft, and the specific medical problems which are encountered in an aviation environment. Hypoxia, gas expansion, and acceleration forces are common effects of air travel which must be anticipated and avoided in acutely ill patients. Provision of supplemental oxygen, use of decompressive tubes, and proper positioning of the patient may obviate or minimize these problems.
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