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PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)Wyle Laboratories, Life Sciences, Systems and Services Inc. 2485 Gillingham Drive San Antonio, TX 78235-5105
SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)High
SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S)AFRL/HEPR
SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT NUMBER(S)
AFRL-HE-BR-TR-2002-0212
DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for Public Release; distribution is unlimited.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTESThis report will be published in Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine as a peer-reviewed article in 2003, Volum 74.
ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION. We conducted 25 altitude chamber decompression exposure profiles incorporating both genders in a prospective attempt to clarify the role of gender in DCS susceptibility. METHODS. The 291 human subjects were exposed (961 subject-exposures) to simulated altitude for up to 8 h, using zero to 4 h of preoxygenation. Subjects breathed 100% oxygen, rested or performed mild or strenuous exercise while decompressed, and were monitored for precordial venous gas emboli (VGE) and DCS symptoms. RESULTS. No differences (P=0.24) in DCS incidence were observed between males (49.5%) and females (45.3%). Higher DCS incidence (P < 0.001) was observed in the heaviest males, females with the highest body fat, and in subjects with the highest body mass indices and lowest levels of fitness. CONCLUSION. No differences in altitude DCS incidence were observed between males and females under our test conditions. No apparent need exists for changes in procedures, training, or equipment to enhance protection from DCS based on gender. GENDER NOT A FACTOR FOR ALTITUDE DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS RISK James T. Webb, Nandini Kannan, and Andrew A. Pilmanis ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION. Early, retrospective reports of the incidence of altitude decompression sickness (DCS) during altitude chamber training exposures indicated that females were more susceptible than males. We hypothesized that a controlled, prospective study would show no significant difference. METHODS. We conducted 25 altitude chamber decompression exposure profiles. A total of 291 human subjects, 197 males and 94 females, underwent 961 exposures to simulated altitude for up to 8 h, using zero to 4 h of preoxygenation. Throughout the exposures, subjects breathed 100% oxygen, rested or performed mild or strenuous exercise, and were monitored for precordial venous gas emboli (VGE) and DCS symptoms. RESULTS. No significant differences in DCS incidence were observed between males (49.5%) and females (45.3%). However, VGE occ...