lung damage. Should vomiting occur, keep head below  the hips to reduce the risks of aspiration. Monitor for  breathing difficulties. Rinse out any material which  enters the mouth until the taste is dissipated.  appearance of the wound or its size, seek medical  attention immediately.  Dehydration is the term given to a critical loss of water from  the body. Causes of dehydration are hot flight decks and  flight lines, wind, humidity, and diuretic drinks—coffee, tea,  alcohol, and caffeinated soft drinks. Some common signs of  dehydration are headache, fatigue, cramps, sleepiness, and  dizziness.  The first noticeable effect of dehydration is fatigue, which  in turn makes top physical and mental performance difficult,  if not impossible. Flying for long periods in hot summer  temperatures or at high altitudes increases the susceptibility  to dehydration because these conditions tend to increase the  rate of water loss from the body.  To help prevent dehydration, drink two to four quarts of  water every 24 hours. Since each person is physiologically  different, this is only a guide. Most people are aware of the  eight-glasses-a-day guide: If each glass of water is eight  ounces, this equates to 64 ounces, which is two quarts. If  this fluid is not replaced, fatigue progresses to dizziness,  weakness, nausea, tingling of hands and feet, abdominal  cramps, and extreme thirst.  The key for pilots is to be continually aware of their condition.  Most people become thirsty with a 1.5 quart deficit or a loss  of 2 percent of total body weight. This level of dehydration  triggers the “thirst mechanism.” The problem is that the thirst  mechanism arrives too late and is turned off too easily. A  small amount of fluid in the mouth turns this mechanism off  and the replacement of needed body fluid is delayed.  Other steps to prevent dehydration include:  Heatstroke is a condition caused by any inability of the body  to control its temperature. Onset of this condition may be  recognized by the symptoms of dehydration, but also has  been known to be recognized only upon complete collapse.  • Carrying a container in order to measure daily water  intake.  • Staying ahead—not relying on the thirst sensation as  an alarm. If plain water is not preferred, add some  sport drink flavoring to make it more acceptable.  • Limiting daily intake of caffeine and alcohol (both are  diuretics and stimulate increased production of urine).  • Inhalation—move away from the source of exposure  and into fresh air. If breathing stops, assisted  ventilation is required via a bag-valve-mask or  cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Once breathing  is restored, the use of additional oxygen may be  necessary. Seek medical attention immediately.  • Ingestion—seek immediate medical attention. Do not  induce vomiting or take anything by mouth as this may  cause the material to enter the lungs and cause severe  • Skin Contact—remove all contaminated clothing  and thoroughly cleanse the affected areas with mild  soap and water or a waterless hand cleaner. If skin  surface is damaged, apply a clean dressing and seek  medical attention. If irritation or redness develops,  seek medical attention. Launder contaminated clothing  before reuse.  • Eye Contact—immediately flush the eyes with  clean water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical  attention immediately.  • Ingestion—seek immediate medical attention. If  immediate medical attention is not available, contact  a regional poison control center or emergency medical  professional regarding the induction of vomiting or  use of activated charcoal. Vomiting should never be  induced to a person who is groggy or unconscious.  • Inhalation—move away from the source of exposure  and into fresh air. If respiratory irritation, dizziness,  nausea, or unconsciousness occurs, seek immediate  medical attention. If breathing stops, assisted  ventilation is required via a bag-valve-mask or  cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).  • Skin Contact—remove all contaminated clothing and  thoroughly cleanse the affected areas with soap and  water. Launder contaminated clothing before reuse.  • Eye Contact—immediately flush the eyes with clean  water and seek medical attention if irritation occurs.  • Ingestion—first aid is not normally required; however,  if swallowed and symptoms develop, seek medical  attention.  • Inhalation—if respiratory symptoms develop, move  away from the source of exposure and into fresh air  in a position comfortable for breathing. If symptoms  persist, seek medical attention.  Dehydration and Heatstroke  Engine Oil  Fuel  17-14 