Dehydration Alcohol Drugs Dehydration is the critical loss of water from the body.  The first noticeable effect of dehydration is fatigue. A  powered parachute pilot is particularly susceptible to  dehydration, as they normally fly in an open cart, of - ten exposed for hours to the direct rays of the sun. If  dehydration occurs and water is not replaced, fatigue  will progress to dizziness, weakness, nausea, tingling  of hands and feet, abdominal cramps, and extreme  thirst. It is highly recommended for PPC pilots, espe- cially those that fly in desert regions, to carry an am - ple supply of water and to drink regularly, regardless  of whether or not you feel thirsty. When you begin to  feel thirsty, the beginning stages of dehydration have  already started. Alcohol directly affects the brain and can do so very  quickly. Some myths still surround alcohol: drink- ing coffee can dissipate the effects, or taking a cold  shower will “sober” you up quickly. The fact is that  becoming intoxicated is determined by the amount of  alcohol in the bloodstream. Once consumed, alcohol  can enter the bloodstream—and therefore the brain— in as quickly as 10 minutes. Once in the brain, motor  skills immediately begin to deteriorate. The com- mon aviation saying is “8 hours bottle to throttle.”  However, depending on the metabolism of the indi- vidual, it may be twice as long before some humans  can dissipate the negative effects of alcohol. Even in  small amounts, alcohol can affect your motor skills,  diminish your mental reasoning, decrease your sense  of responsibility, and shorten your memory. In addi- tion, the effect of alcohol is greatly multiplied when  gaining altitude. One of the biggest misconceptions is the myth that  over-the-counter  drugs may be taken before a flight.  A non-prescription drug does not mean it is free of  side effects that may affect your faculties. Consult a  physician about mixing flying with any drugs. Many  medications such as tranquilizers, sedatives, strong  pain relievers, and cough-suppressants have primary  effects that may impair judgment, memory, alertness,  coordination, vision, and the ability to make calcula- tions. Others, such as antihistamines, blood pressure  drugs, muscle relaxants, and agents to control diar- rhea and motion sickness, have side effects that may  impair the same critical functions. FAA regulations state that no one may act as a crew- member if they have consumed alcohol within 8 hours  of flight, are under the influence of alcohol, are using  any drug affecting their faculties contrary to safety,  or if they have a blood alcohol level greater than 0.04  percent. Part 61 also states that refusal to take a drug  or alcohol test, a conviction for a violation of any  Federal or State statute relating to the operation of  a motor vehicle (that’s right—a car) while under the  influence of alcohol or a drug, or failure to provide a  written report of each motor vehicle action to the FAA  (not later than 60 days after the motor vehicle action)  are grounds for:  Pain killers or over-the-counter analgesics, such as  Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), Tylenol (acetamino- phen), and Advil (ibuprofen), have few side effects  when taken in the correct dosage. Flying is usually  not restricted when taking these drugs. However, fly - ing is almost always precluded while using prescrip- tion analgesics such as Darvon, Percodan, Demerol,  and codeine, since these drugs may cause side effects  such as mental confusion, dizziness, headaches, nau- sea, and vision problems. Regulations prohibit pilots from performing duties  while using any medication that affects their abilities  in any way contrary to safety. The safest rule is not to  fly while taking any medication, unless approved to  do so by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Anxiety can cause humans to act in unpredictable and  negative ways. If your future is uncertain or an unpre- dictable event occurs that forces you into an unknown  path, anxiety can appear. Self realization and learned  confidence through knowledge and practice are the  best ways to prepare for possible anxiety attacks. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is typically not a  factor in a powered parachute, as the engine is be- hind the pilot in the typical PPC pusher configura - tion. However, since CO is a colorless, odorless, and  tasteless gas, you need to be alert to exposure prior  to flight. As powered parachutes are not pressurized, atmo- spheric pressure changes will affect pilots flying to  high altitudes. Atmospheric pressure decreases as you  ascend, and increases as you descend. The pilot’s in- 1. Denial of an application for any certificate,  rating, or authorization for a period of up to 1  year after the date of such refusal; or 2. Suspension or revocation of any certificate,  rating, or authorization. Middle Ear and Sinus Problems Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Anxiety 1-6