Page 205 - PJ MED OPS Handbook 8th Ed

c. Negative Gs
i) head or neck strain
ii) cervical fracture
iii) loss of consciousness
5. Ejection injuries
a. Ejection seat forces
i) pelvis fracture
ii) spinal compression fracture
b. Struck by seat or cockpit object or canopy
i) concussion/TBI
ii) head and neck lacerations/strains/compression fractures
iii) extremity fractures and lacerations
1) especially legs and feet
iv) internal organ injuries due to catapult forces from ejection seat
c. Airstream entry injuries
i) Windblast injuries
1) Petechial/conjunctival/retinal hemorrhage
2) Flail injuries
i. Unconsciousness
ii. Neck strain or fracture from helmet/head rotation
iii. Extremity fractures
a. Especially humerus and tibia/fibula
iv. Joint dislocations
a. Especially shoulder and knee
3) “Windblast erosion” causing exposure injuries
i. Torn clothes, boots pulled off, helmet visor shattered, helmet lost
ii. Temperature exposure
4) Low temp exposure is of little significance if protective equipment is properly fitted
and worn and not lost during the ejection
5) 3rd degree burns can result from the ejection seat launch
ii) Tumbling/rotational stress injuries/”flat spin”
1) Tearing and rupture of thoracic and abdominal organs
i. Cardiac injury is especially critical
2) Unconsciousness
3) Hemorrhage and edema in eyes, ears, sinuses, lungs, brain
iii) Strikes from aircraft debris causing blunt or penetrating injury
6. Parachute related injuries (see parachute injury section for further details)
a. Deployment
b. Descent
c. Landing
7. Generalized shock from the trauma of the aircraft escape event

Chapter 17. Aerospace Accident and Injuries n 203