LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
On June 29, 1st Aerospace Medical Squadron conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new piece of equipment that has remained unchanged for the past 60 years.
The Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device provides more realistic, cost-efficient hypoxia training for pilots, said 1st Lt. Erin Skinner, 1st AMS aerospace physiologist.
"The ROBD is a great training tool," said Capt. Nick Sigler, 27th Fighter Squadron F-22A Raptor pilot and chief of squadron safety. "It allows the pilots, especially student pilots, to know what the symptoms of hypoxia are before putting them in an aircraft to fly solo."
Hypoxia is a deficiency of oxygen in the body that eventually causes impairment to functions, causing symptoms like dizziness, headaches, tingling and disorientation.
The ROBD models the cockpit for single-seat aircrafts, such as the Raptor, allowing the pilot to simulate flight and view their progress while feeling the symptoms of hypoxia, said Lieutenant Skinner.
Once pilots feel the onset of hypoxia, they can pull a green ring attached to an oxygen tank to relieve the emergency, said Captain Sigler.
"Take the training for what it's worth," said Captain Sigler. "Take recognized symptoms from your training to the jet. If you feel the onset of hypoxia, something is definitely not right."
Not only is the ROBD practical for fighter jet training, it can be purchased and maintained at a relatively low cost.
With a price tag of about $10,000 and a yearly operating cost of around $50 to replace minor items, such as hoses, this technology can save thousands yearly, said Lieutenant Skinner. The ROBD is an alternative for bases that send pilots on costly temporary duty assignments in order to be trained.