High Altitude and Afrin

[PropsForward]

Hey,

I attended a High Altitude chamber a while back and on the way down, one of the guys had to be "sprayed down" by taking a deep whiff of Afrin.



Question. Do you folks that fly to the higher altitudes (pressurized and unpressurized) keep Afrin handy for these occasions?



And while attempting to dodge the bullet about giving/administering medicine without a license (or whatever), do/would you make this available to a passenger if they were having a problem getting back down?

 

[2000flyer]

First, I keep Afrin in my bag at all times. Works great, lasts a long time.

As for dispencing it to passengers. Well, first, I highly doubt anyone would want to stick something up their nose that had previously been used. At least I wouldn't. I would recommend that if they travel, to try Afrin or consult with their doctor to what might work best for them. I'd hate for someone to use something I handed them and watch them have an alergic reaction to it.

Personally, if they're having ear block on ascent or descent, I recommend the good ole favorite stick of chewing gum. I stopped trying to teach the Valsalva (sp?) maneuver after talking to some AME's and other doctor's about the possibility of ear damage from blowing to hard. (Watch a newbie try this and some of them look like their trying to blow their eyeballs out!) While it doesn't happen often, I for one would not want to be held responsible for that either.

2000Flyer

 

[350DRIVER]

I have always used Ocean, a premium saline nasal spray. It has always worked quite well and can be purchased at most drug stores.


3 5 0

 

[bobbysamd]

Saline spray v. Afrin

I have always used Ocean, a premium saline nasal spray. It has always worked quite well and can be purchased at most drug stores.

Excellent recommendation, because Ocean is in no way medicinal. Technically, there are no such things as "FAA-Approved" medications. Again, technically, if you are needing medication you are not supposed to be flying, absent some sort of waiver or SODA where the FAA has authorized your use of medication.

 

[Cutlass1287]

Someone mind telling us what Afrin is?

 

[350DRIVER]

Nasal Decongestant that contains oxymetazoline hydrochloride.

3 5 0

 

[Cutlass1287]

Nasal Decongestant that contains oxymetazoline hydrochloride.

3 5 0

I see.

 

[2000flyer]

Excellent recommendation, because Ocean is in no way medicinal. Technically, there are no such things as "FAA-Approved" medications. Again, technically, if you are needing medication you are not supposed to be flying, absent some sort of waiver or SODA where the FAA has authorized your use of medication.

After doing a search of "FAA APPROVED" treatments, BROMFED is the only one listed. Also, a nice verbatum list of the FAA regs pertaining to use of "non-approved" medications. There goes my Afrin!

2000Flyer