Marines on Okinawa prepare to take flight with chamber training

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Leo Salinas | From left, Air Force Capt. Alejandro Ramos, Officer in Charge of the Aerospace Physiology Operations Element, Physiological Training Flight, 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, operates the chamber exercise with Senior Airman Tara Schmidt, and Senior Airman Jeannette Cruz, both aerospace physiology journeyman.  

OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

03.13.2009

Story by Cpl. Paul Zellner 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - The training and planning that goes into jumping out of aircraft is detailed and precise. Every move must be meticulously executed to maintain safety and mission accomplishment.

Approximately 20 Marines from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, took part in hypo baric training on Kadena Air Base March 6. The training is a requirement for Marines whose duties take them to altitudes of 10,000 feet or higher in depressurized aircraft.

The Marines went through the hypo baric chamber training to qualify for high-altitude parachute operations.

The chamber is made of steel with double-pane glass windows that provide small views to the world outside the chamber. Color wheels and eye charts line the walls in front of every chair. There are oxygen cylinders for every person set up on the floor.

The chamber simulates the atmospheric pressure changes during an airplane's ascent and decent. Students experience some of the effects of these pressure changes in a controlled environment while inside the chamber.

Hypoxia, a state of oxygen deficiency in body tissues sufficient to cause impairment of function, is a serious threat while flying depressurized aircraft at altitudes above 10,000 feet and can lead to unconsciousness, according to Air Force Master Sgt. Charles Acron, non-commissioned officer-in-charge of Aerospace Physiology on Kadena.

There are more than 20 symptoms of hypoxia, including headaches, nausea, euphoria and visual impairment.

"When you're at a high altitude you need to know the symptoms of hypoxia and how to use your oxygen system," said Gunnery Sgt. Blair Burton, communications chief for Company C, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, "That is exactly what this training is for."

Inside of the chamber, students perform various skills test to challenge themselves while dealing with hypoxia. They test their night vision with eye charts and color wheels. They attempt simple math problems and hand-eye coordination exercises to test their mental and mechanical capabilities under conditions of decreased oxygen.

Using these series of tests, students learn how to properly correct for hypoxia and make sound decisions, ones that could save lives in a real-life situation.

"A lack of oxygen can affect your decision-making process, so you must make your decisions quick if not on oxygen," said Senior Airman Tara Schmidt, an Aerospace Physiology journeyman with Resource Management.

The chamber is the only one on Okinawa and qualification can last up to five years depending on individual service requirements.

For information on use or scheduling of the chamber, call Aerospace Physiology at 634-1967.

• Date Taken: 03.13.2009
• Date Posted: 03.17.2009 02:37
• Story ID: 31203
• Location: OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JP