CARDIOVASCULAR CONSTRAINTS AND NIGHT MARITIME WINCHING FOR HELICOPTER 'SUPER FRELON' PILOTS

INTRODUCTION: The authors studied changes in heart rate and blood pressure among heavy helicopter 'Super Frelon' pilots in activities deemed stressful : night maritime winching on vessel and ship-wrecked person. METHODS: The four pilots on Mediterranean assignment of '32 F'squadron have been fitted for blood pressure ambulatory monitoring (BPAM) and 24 hours electrocardiogram Holter. Each subject had three recordings : a reference in any aeronautical activity and two during night flights. Analysis of all records was conducted by the same cardiologist. RESULTS: The pilots are evenly peak heart rate during take-off. In the remainder of the flight, cardiac frequency remained at a level above the basic measures. Among the normotensive subjects, elevation of blood pressure is lower, showing adaptability in blood pressure during rapid heartbeat. No particular rhythmic event has been recorded in flight. DISCUSSION: There is a state of cardiovascular stress during night flights involving maritime winching on vessel and ship-wrecked person. These recordings during operations confirm the interest of detecting arterial hypertension.