ABSTRACT
There is a wide choice of equipment available to medical personnel, but not all is compatible with the aviation environment. Furthermore, given that the costs are high, it is vital to ensure that correct choices are made before purchase is confirmed. Essentially, in addition to the need for accuracy and reliability (usually only one item of each type of equipment can be carried), equipment for use in aircraft must be compact, lightweight, and rugged enough to be able to withstand the stresses of accelerations, vibration, and the possibility of rapid decompression. In addition, the equipment must continue to work dependably without loss of accuracy in conditions of prolonged hypobaric pressure, thermal extremes, and variations in humidity.
