Dehydration in Human Factors
Running Head: DEHYDRATION IN HUMAN FACTORS
Dehydration in Human Factors
Allan Gorge
Abstract
Dehydration is an insidious disorder that plays a potentially deadly role in aviation and other aviation related specialties. We’ll take a look at the body’s composition of water, and the physiology of water loss and intake. We’ll also cover the different classifications of dehydration and there signs and symptoms. The dangers of dehydration in the role of aviation. As well as what you can do to detect and prevent dehydration.
The Role of Dehydration In Human Factors Dehydration is defined as “Excessive loss of water from the body or from an organ or bodily part.”(The American Heritage Dictionary, Sec Ed) Water is the most abundant resource in the human body, and accounts for about two thirds of total body weight. This means a 150 lb man has roughly 10 gallons of water distributed throughout his body. (Merck Manual, Home Ed.) It’s seems hard to believe we’re carrying around that much water, let’s take a look at where we keep all that water. Take a look at the following picture to get an idea of the percent of body water through different stages in life.
(http://zmed.org)
Body Fluid Displacement
Water is divided into two categories inside the body; intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF).
Intracellular Fluid This is the fluid located inside of body cells, accounting for roughly 70% of total body water.
Extracellular Fluid Accounting for the remaining 30% of body water, extracellular fluid is divided into two categories. Intravascular and interstitial fluid. Intravascular fluid; the fluid located in your circulatory system, or bloodstream. A typical adult male has on average 7 Liters of blood. Interstitial fluid is all remaining fluid not found in either the circulatory system or inside body cells, but located within the spaces between cells.
Dehydration in Human Factors
Allan Gorge
Abstract
Dehydration is an insidious disorder that plays a potentially deadly role in aviation and other aviation related specialties. We’ll take a look at the body’s composition of water, and the physiology of water loss and intake. We’ll also cover the different classifications of dehydration and there signs and symptoms. The dangers of dehydration in the role of aviation. As well as what you can do to detect and prevent dehydration.
The Role of Dehydration In Human Factors Dehydration is defined as “Excessive loss of water from the body or from an organ or bodily part.”(The American Heritage Dictionary, Sec Ed) Water is the most abundant resource in the human body, and accounts for about two thirds of total body weight. This means a 150 lb man has roughly 10 gallons of water distributed throughout his body. (Merck Manual, Home Ed.) It’s seems hard to believe we’re carrying around that much water, let’s take a look at where we keep all that water. Take a look at the following picture to get an idea of the percent of body water through different stages in life.
(http://zmed.org)
Body Fluid Displacement
Water is divided into two categories inside the body; intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF).
Intracellular Fluid This is the fluid located inside of body cells, accounting for roughly 70% of total body water.
Extracellular Fluid Accounting for the remaining 30% of body water, extracellular fluid is divided into two categories. Intravascular and interstitial fluid. Intravascular fluid; the fluid located in your circulatory system, or bloodstream. A typical adult male has on average 7 Liters of blood. Interstitial fluid is all remaining fluid not found in either the circulatory system or inside body cells, but located within the spaces between cells.
References: Berklow, R., & Md. Beers, M.H (1997) The Merck Manual of Medical Information (Home Edition) Bledsoe, B., Porter, R., & Shade, B., (1996) Paramedic Emergency Care, 3rd Edition Why is Dehydration so dangerous? http://www.rehydrate.org/dehydration/ Fairechild, D., Dehydration and Dry Cabin Air. http://www.flyana.com/dehydration.html