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as loss of cabin pressure, On-Board Oxygen Generation Systems (OBOGS) malfunction, or otherwise. The aviator may then take measures to address these other causes without considering hypocapnia as the cause of his or her symptoms. Fear and anxiety, among other stressors, are a prime contributor to hyperventilation. 1 The mechanism whereby hypocapnia decreases cerebral perfusion and thereby consciousness is twofold. As blood pH rises, arteries vasoconstrict, reducing cerebral perfusion. This hypoxic effect of hypocapnia may be further increased as cellular

been reported at varying severity levels, 10 , 27 , 36 and has been linked to the occurrence of hypocapnia. 4 , 35 In this study, neurocognitive and physiological instruments were employed throughout and after hypobaric chamber ascents to test whether RDs induce greater disruption than slower decompressions. The study addressed the three questions posed above: 1) would RD impair human performance more than gradual ascent; 2) would hypobaria affect performance in the absence of hypoxia; and 3) would hypoxia impairment linger into recovery? METHODS Effects