High-G training is done by aviators and astronauts who are subject to high levels of

acceleration ('G'). It is designed to prevent a g-induced Loss Of Consciousness

(abbreviated G-LOC), a situation when g-forces move the blood away from the brain
to the extent that consciousness is lost. Incidents of acceleration-induced loss of
consciousness have caused fatal accidents in aircraft capable of sustaining high-g for
considerable periods.
The value of training has been well established during the decades since the 1970s
and has been the subject of much research and literature, and training has contributed
to extending pilots' G tolerance in both magnitude and duration.
[1]
Certainly, this
training has allowed pilots and crews to more safely exploit the capabilities of high
performance aircraft. This training will become more important as new weapons
systems are fielded with even higher performance capabilities.
Training includes Academic training on acceleration physiology and the Anti G
Straining Maneuver (AGSM), and Centrifuge training.
Contents
[hide]
1 Overview
2 G-suits
3 Human centrifuge training
4 References
[edit] Overview
Main article: G-force
As g-forces increases, visual effects include loss of colour vision (grey-out), followed
by tunnel vision (where peripheral vision is lost, retaining only the centre vision). If g-
forces increase further, complete loss of vision will occur, while consciousness
remains. These effects are due to a reduction of blood flow to the eyes before blood
flow to the brain is lost, because the extra pressure within the eye (intraocular
pressure) counters the blood pressure. (The reverse effect is experienced in advanced
aerobatic maneuvers under negative g-forces, where excess blood moves towards the
brain and eyes red out).
The human body has different tolerances for g-forces depending on the acceleration
direction. Humans can withstand a positive acceleration forward at a higher g-forces
than they can withstand a positive acceleration upwards at the same g-forces. This is
because when the body accelerates up at such high rates the blood rushes from the
brain which causes loss of consciousness.
A further increase in g-forces will cause G-LOC where consciousness is lost. This is
doubly dangerous because, on recovery as g is reduced, a period of several seconds of
disorientation occurs, during which the aircraft can dive into the ground. Dreams are
reported to follow G-LOC which are brief and vivid.
The g thresholds at which these effects occur depend on the training, age and fitness
of the individual. An un-trained individual not used to the g-straining maneuver, can
black out between 4 and 6 g, particularly if this is pulled suddenly. Roller coasters
typically do not expose the occupants to much more than about 3 g. A hard slap on the
face may impose hundreds of g-s locally but not produce any real damage: a constant
15 g-s for a minute, however, may be deadly. A trained, fit individual wearing a g suit
and practitioner the straining maneuver, can, with some difficulty, sustain up to 9g
without loss of consciousness.
The human body is considerably more able to survive g-forces that are perpendicular
to the spine. In general when the g-force pushes the body backwards (colloquially
known as 'eyeballs in'
[2]
) a much higher tolerance is shown than when g-force is
pushing the body forwards ('eyeballs out') since blood vessels in the retina appear
more sensitive to that direction.
Early experiments showed that untrained humans were able to tolerate 17 g eyeballs-
in (compared to 12 g eyeballs-out) for several minutes without loss of consciousness
or apparent long-term harm.
[3]

[edit] G-suits
Main article: G-suit
A G-suit is worn by aviators and astronauts who are subject to high levels of
acceleration ('G'). It is designed to prevent a black-out and g-LOC (g-induced Loss Of
Consciousness), due to the blood pooling in the lower part of the body when under G,
thus depriving the brain of blood.
[edit] Human centrifuge training


TsF-18 centrifuge at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Center
Human centrifuges are exceptionally large centrifuges that test the reactions and
tolerance of pilots and astronauts to acceleration above those experienced in the
Earth's gravity.
The US Air Force at Holloman Air Force Base, NM operates a human centrifuge. The
centrifuge at Holloman AFB is operated by the aerospace physiology department for
the purpose of training and evaluating prospective fighter pilots for high-g flight in
Air Force fighter aircraft.
The use of large centrifuges to simulate a feeling of gravity has been proposed for
future long-duration space missions. Exposure to this simulated gravity would prevent
or reduce the bone decalcification and muscle atrophy that affect individuals exposed
to long periods of freefall. An example of this can be seen in the film 2001: A Space
Odyssey.
Man-rated centrifuges are made by AMST Systemtechnik in Austria (Austria Metall
SystemTechnik), Latcore in France, Environmental Tectonics Corporation (ETC)
and Wyle Laboratories in the USA.
[edit] References