Page 209 - PJ MED OPS Handbook 8th Ed

The Space Mission
Human Space Flight Medical Considerations
1. Kinetics of Trauma & Mechanisms of Injury
a. Significant G forces can occur during ascent aborts, re-entry anomalies and hard landing.
Injuries depend on the level, axis and duration of G force. Some test have shown up to 20G
for a few seconds.
b. Potential injuries can include, but are not limited to:
i) Head, neck, and spine injury
ii) Bit tongue
iii) Blunt trauma
iv) Internal organ collision
v) Musculoskeletal trauma
vi) Underlying causes of the abort can also expose crew to toxic gases or fire
2. Hazardous Gas Exposure
a. All of the space craft use hazardous gases as propellants and coolants for their vehicles. Ex-
posure risk includes:
i) Inhalation injury
ii) Skin contact
iii) Eye contact
b. Possible Progression of Signs and Symptoms
i) Eye/nasal irritation
ii) Salivation, rapid breathing, cough, sore throat
iii) Emesis
iv) Diarrhea, pupil dilation, ataxia
v) Impaired memory/alertness
vi) Pulmonary edema
vii) Tremors, convulsions
viii) Loss of consciousness
c. Assessment and Treatment
i) Follow standard PJ patient assessment checklist
ii) Scene size-up and decontamination
1) Don PPE and immediately move from the contaminated environment.
NOTE: all of the gases are water soluble
2) Remove all contaminated clothing
3) If the patient is stable, begin copious skin and eye irrigation immediately
4) Continue irrigation for at least 20 minutes
iii) Airway & Breathing
1) Consider use of warm humidified O2 if able
2) If SI/Sx of inhalation injury, be prepared for early intubation or RSI
3) If SI/Sx of pulmonary edema, be prepared to use the vent with PEEP
4) PEEP must be added manually on the SAVE II vent
iv) Treat cutaneous irritations and burns IAW with standard chemical burn protocols
v) Continue to monitor and reassess
1) Vitals to include EtCO2 and SpO2 if able

Chapter 17. Aerospace Accident and Injuries n 207