| This non-experimental, descriptive correlational research study examined the thermal environment of litter positions and human responses onboard the Hercules C-130 aircraft. The C-130 aircraft is a cargo aircraft that can be configured to transport patients. Thermal stress is one of eight stresses of flight patients experience in the airborne environment. The study measured ambient air temperature, air flow, perception of thermal environment, perception of thermal comfort, tympanic temperature and skin temperature. Measurements were obtained preflight, post flight and every fifteen minutes inflight.;Thirty-four aeromedical evacuation crewmembers participated as subjects on ten flights from December 1997 to March 1998. Subjects were placed on litters and randomly assigned to four litter locations: front/top, front/bottom, back/top, and back/bottom.;Findings suggest that patients in the back/bottom litter position were more challenged by the thermal environment than patients in other litter positions. Healthy subjects in this study did not experience difficulty maintaining a stable core temperature. Yet, a compromised patient combating the other stresses of flight may not be so successful. This study can heighten flight nurses' awareness to thermal concerns, assist to determine appropriate litter placement, and anticipate thermal problems to optimize patient care in this challenging environment. |
