Thermodynamic Aspects of Short-Term Storage of High G-Force in the Human Body

Abstract

The gravitational force (g-force) of the Earth is referred to as 1G. When pilots, astronauts, and race car drivers get under the effect of higher G-forces, their blood accumulates in the lower parts of their bodies, although their heart rates increase, and their cardiovascular systems supply less blood to their brains and lungs. When insufficient oxygenation of the brain causes loss of consciousness, incapacitated pilots or drivers may cause accidents resulting in serious injury or death. Pilots receive high-G training to prevent gravity-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC). Wearing anti-G suits on flights may help to decrease the G-LOC. While the maximum G-Force tolerance of a normal person is approximately 4G, it increases to 9G when a pilot is with equipment. In the experiments at 46.2G, a pilot, John Stapp, managed to barely stay conscious; his retinas were severed, but he got his normal vision back after a day and he showed that position and safety precautions could help the human body withstand high amounts of crash forces. This research helped to develop several safety changes in automobiles. Indycar is America's top single-seater racing series. The crash recorders installed in their cars have shown that as long as safety systems are in place, the Indycar drivers can tolerate impacts over 100G without serious injuries. This study makes a thermodynamic assessment of the effects of the high G-force when the race car drivers and the jet pilots are tentatively subject to it but get out of that effect when their task is over.