Chapter 9: Physiological Factors (Including Drugs and Alcohol) Affecting Pilot Performance  known to cause drowsiness and have a prolonged half-life, meaning the drugs stay in one’s system  for an extended time, which lengthens the time that side effects are present. Prior to each and every flight, all pilots must do a proper physical self-assessment to ensure safety.  A great mnemonic is IMSAFE, which stands for Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, and  Emotion. For the medication component of IMSAFE, pilots need to ask themselves, “Am I taking any  medicines that might affect my judgment or make me drowsy? For any new medication, OTC or  prescribed, you should wait at least 48 hours after the first dose before flying to determine you do  not have any adverse side effects that would make it unsafe to operate an aircraft. In addition to  medication questions, pilots should also consider the following:  Alcohol impairs the efficiency of the human body.  [Figure 9-1]  Studies have shown that consuming alcohol is closely linked to performance deterioration.  Pilots must make hundreds of decisions, some of them  time-critical, during the course of a flight. The safe  outcome of any flight depends on the ability to make  the correct decisions and take the appropriate actions  during routine occurrences, as well as abnormal  situations. The influence of alcohol drastically reduces  the chances of completing a flight without incident.  Even in small amounts, alcohol can impair judgment,  decrease sense of responsibility, affect coordination,  constrict visual field, diminish memory, reduce reasoning ability, and lower attention span. As little as  one ounce of alcohol can decrease the speed and  strength of muscular reflexes, lessen the efficiency of  eye movements while reading, and increase the  frequency at which errors are committed. Impairments in vision and hearing can occur from  consuming as little as one drink. While experiencing a hangover, a pilot is still under  the influence of alcohol. Although a pilot may think he  or she is functioning normally, motor and mental  response impairment is still present. Considerable  amounts of alcohol can remain in the body for over 16  hours, so pilots should be cautious about flying too soon after drinking.  Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide  49 • Do not take any unnecessary or elective medications.  • Make sure you eat regular balanced meals.  • Bring a snack.  • Maintain good hydration - bring plenty of water.  • Ensure adequate sleep the night prior to the flight.  • Stay physically fit.  Alcohol  Figure 9-1.  Impairment scale with alcohol use.