SEMO’s aviation program gives students experience of new heights through use of Hypoxia chamber

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Southeast Missouri State University students are gaining hands on experience in aviation technology.

Students enrolled SEMO’S Aviation Program are training alongside professionals in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Portable Reduced Oxygen Training Enclosure (PROTE).

This unique opportunity provided by the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI), provides SEMO students with real-world learning environments that prepare them for successful careers in aviation and beyond.

“We are beyond excited that the SEMO Professional Pilot Program is able to open doors for our students, providing unparalleled opportunities through the FAA PROTE Chamber,” said Miranda Sullivan, director of aviation operations at SEMO.

The PROTE is a traveling altitude chamber capable of producing hypoxic environments at ground level by reducing oxygen in the environment for the purpose of training aviation professionals. Giving students firsthand experience while still being on the ground.

One of the common symptoms experienced in a hypoxic environment is a reduction of cognitive function.

Hypoxia is a reaction the body has to low oxygen. During Hypoxia the body has low levels of oxygen in the body’s tissue causing confusion, blue skin and more.

Students are given math problems and puzzles to solve while in the chamber and are instructed to pay attention to their symptoms since low oxygen can affect people differently.

These exercises help students identify their individual symptoms.

Learning how hypoxia effects them in a PROTE chamber allows pilots and students to identify if they are low on oxygen while flying.

This is one example of the many hands-on training experiences with state-of-the-art technology available to SEMO’s aviation students.