Altitude Chamber
Video: ASU High Altitude Chamber
ASU professor Ronald Diedrichs talks to Channel 12 News about how pilots need to have critical high-altitude training to prevent air accidents.
For aircrew members, skydivers, mountain climbers or balloonists, the high-altitude environment places individuals under the threat of one of the most deadly and silent killers they can face: hypoxia.
Hypoxia is the lack of oxygen in the brain, and can happen when air pressure drops to lower than sea level. The body tries to compensate and uses more oxygen than it would on the ground.
Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus is one of three universities in the United States that offers Altitude Chamber training courses. The Aviation Physiology and Human Factors courses conducted by Arizona State University have been approved by Federal Aviation Administration (FAR Part 141). The training courses provide information on:
- the signs and symptoms of hypoxia, and how to recognize when your body is exhibiting them;
- the appropriate emergency procedures that will allow quick and accurate treatment of your symptoms;
- how to recognize the symptoms of hypoxia exhibited by others; and
- preventive measures to help you avoid suffering from hypoxia or other high-altitude maladies.
Altitude Chamber training is available to general aviation, commercial, corporate and government aircrew members, as well as other high-altitude enthusiasts. See a video clip of an altitude chamber training session.
In addition to training, the two Altitude Chambers operated by ASU can be used for human subject research and product development and testing.
Contact Information
Altitude Chamber
7442 E. Tillman Ave. Mesa, AZ 85212
Phone: 480-727-1254
FAX: 480-727-1273
E-mail: nathaniel.daggs@asu.edu