Controlled Deep Breathing for Rapid Recovery from Hypoxia in Military Pilots and Aircrews

The objective of this research was to determine whether controlled deep breathing (CDB) versus uncontrolled spontaneous breathing (USB) in a normobaric hypoxia environment can increase exposure time in this environmental situation. For this purpose, military pilots and aircrew (n = 167), all of whom were male, underwent a normobaric hypoxia test. They were monitored with a pulse oximeter and subjected to a gradual exposure of up to 18,000 ft (rotary wing) and up to 25,000 ft (fixed wing). Prior to this test, they were briefed and the CDB protocol tested. Subjects using CDB spent more time in hypoxia than those using USB (12':20'' ± 1':28'' vs 9':44'' ± 1':36'', p<.000). For those who exceeded the altitudes of 18,000 ft and 25,000 ft, there were more participants and better percentages were detected, both in a pressurized and non-pressurized cabin, for CDB vs USB (350.76% and 268.88%, respectively). We therefore conclude that CDB can be considered a strategy to induce slower decompression in hypoxic situations in pilots and crew of military aircraft, thus helping to avoid fatal accidents.