Aviation Life Support Equipment
The objective of this study is to examine aviation life support equipment. Towards this end a review of the literature in this area of inquiry will be conducted.
NOAA has issued specifications for life support equipment that must be provided for personnel that fly NOAA aircraft and that is to be considered as standard equipment. There are various types of equipment that are considered aviation life support equipment.
Personnel Flotation Vest
The personal flotation vest requires inspection on an annual basis and is comprised by three layers with a NOMEX cover and to have a neck gusset that protects against chafing. The Personal Flotation Vest has been approved by FAA/TSO and is reported to be "fully adjustable" and can be sized from 42 inches to 68 inches. The Personal Flotation Vest has pockets designed specifically for holding the following items: (1) personal locator transmitter; (2) knife, (3) whistle, (4) signal mirror; (5) signal streamer and (6) strobe. (NOAA.gov, nd,, p. 1) In addition there is reported to be "38 lbs of buoyancy provided by two independent cells." (NOAA.gov, nd, p.1) Further reported is "inflation by two 18-gram Cos cartridges or oral inflation tubes" as well as "water-activated TSO locator light" and a "signal mirror, whistle, and knife with can opener." ( NOAA.gov, nd, p. 1)
II. Personal Locator Beacon
The personal locator beacon is reported to have the following features:
• Built in GPS, 406 MHz transmitter and 121.5...
2)
III. Rescue Strobe Light
The rescue strobe light has the following features
• 8-hour minimum continuous operating life
• Waterproof to 10 m (33 ft.)
• Visible up to 2 miles (5 km)
• 1.5v lithium battery (5-year replacement life) (NOAA.gov, nd, p. 2)
IV. Signal Mirror
The signal mirror is reported as being 2"X3" with glass that is laminated and resistant to shattering with a hole in the center for viewing and "sight targeting retro reflective grill." (NOAA.gov, nd, p. 3)
The importance of the signal mirror is that it "an easily be seen for 10 miles and generally the flash will be visible up to 50 miles, depending upon atmospheric conditions. The record rescue from one is 105 miles at sea." (NOAA.gov, nd, p. 3) In addition reported is that "Direct up to 6 million candlepower of reflected sunlight onto the rescue target with pinpoint accuracy. A mirror will even work on bright overcast days and with moonlight, though with much reduced range.
V. Rescue Signal Streamer
The rescue signal streamer is 6" X 25" when deployed and is…
