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Senior Airman Deaja Ellis, 559th Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace and operational physiology technician, lectures students on oxygen equipment components Jan. 28, 2020 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The aerospace and operational physiology unit trains potential aviators about human performance in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Katherine Spessa)

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Tech. Sgt. Miriam Hernandez, Senior Airman Deaja Ellis and Senior Airman Duver Navarro Narvaez, 559th Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace and operational physiology technicians, monitor and quiz students in a hypobaric chamber Jan. 28, 2020 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Aerospace and operational physiology technicians help students mitigate mission and self-imposed stressors, such as diet and exercise habits, sleeping patterns, medications and smoking, and teach them how those factors can impact their performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Katherine Spessa)

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Students in training with the 559th Aerospace Medicine Squadron’s aerospace and operational physiology unit help one another don their oxygen masks Jan. 28, 2020 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The aerospace and operational physiology unit teaches aviators to prevent adverse pressure effects while airborne by eating and sleeping well, exercising, hydrating and what medications and supplements to avoid. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Katherine Spessa)

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Senior Airman Deaja Ellis, 559th Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace and operational physiology technician, explains hypoxia symptoms during cabin decompression Jan. 28, 2020 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The hypobaric chamber simulates pressure conditions at a variety of altitudes to help aviators experience hypoxia, a lack of oxygen, so they can better identify it and respond to cabin decompression while airborne to prevent aircraft mishaps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Katherine Spessa)

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Senior Airman Deaja Ellis, 559th Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace and operational physiology technician, instructs aviators-in-training on correct oxygen mask procedures Jan. 28, 2020 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Members of the aerospace and operational physiology training unit use a hypobaric chamber to teach pilots and aircrew members about the effects of altitude on the human body. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Katherine Spessa)

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First Lt. Eric Sprung, 559th Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace physiologist, tests a student’s oxygen mask seal Jan. 28, 2020 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Airmen in Air Force specialties including enlisted aircrew, pararescue, remotely piloted aircraft sensor operators and pilots must first learn about human performance in airborne operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Katherine Spessa)

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Second Lt. Denise Johnson, 559th Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace physiologist, monitors students in a hypobaric chamber Jan. 28, 2020 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The 559th AMDS teaches more than 5,000 students each year to combat the physiological dangers of flying such as hypoxia and spatial disorientation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Katherine Spessa)

59th MDW Spotlight: Altitude chamber takes your breath away

Published Feb. 4, 2020
59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- --