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formula #5 above), and makes our blood red and gives it the ability to carry oxygen. The transport of CO happens in the same way, but its at- traction with hemoglobin is about 250 times greater than O2. Apparently, CO likes to stick to Hb even more than we like to eat butter pecan ice cream.
Neurological Conditions and Half-life
Without enough oxygen, individual cells suffocate and die, especially in vital organs such as the brain and heart. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO it can make you pass out or kill you. If you are exposed to low levels of carbon monoxide over a longer period (by an exhaust leak, for example), your symptoms can also appear like the flu. The half-life of CO after a pilot resumes breathing “clean” ambient air is approximately 4 to 5 hours, while breathing high-flow oxy- gen via a non-rebreathing face mask (one that prevents rebreathing your own breath) is about 90 minutes, and with 100 percent hyperbaric oxygen (pressure breathing), approximately 30 minutes. An unusual feature of acute CO poisoning, however, is a de- layed deterioration in neurological conditions occurring anytime from a few days to as long as five to six weeks after initial exposure.
What’s a Mother to Do?
CO poisoning from jet exhaust may be slightly less likely than from a re- cip, but any smoke or fumes would call for the same mayday call and emergency descent.
If you smell exhaust odors or begin to feel any of the symptoms previously mentioned, you should immediately assume carbon monoxide is present and take the following actions:
• Turn the cabin heat fully off.
• Increase the rate of cabin fresh air ventilation to the maximum.
• Open windows if the f light profile and aircraft’s operating manual
permit such an action.
32 • TWIN & TURBINE / September 2020
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