Skyhawk92

I got the flu early this week and thought it was just food poisoning. Went out and logged 7.0 the next day in the heat and ended up passing out in ground school the next morning due to the dehydration. The company is sending me to the AME in a few days, should I be worried about my medical? This has never happened to me before. I know they always ask if you have ever passed out...

Yoda2

If you handle this situation correctly you should be fine. I would be sure to let all parties involved know what is very likely the truth. Which is in hindsight you have learned a very important lesson and were lucky; and that you now understand how insidious dehydration can be and how to avoid it. The fact that it often presents few, if any, recognizable symptoms makes it especially dangerous and it kills folks every day. There are many common situations that people find themselves in that cause severe dehydration, though outside of maybe an initial thirst, that usually passes in much the way as a hunger pang, typically no alarming symptoms will be noticed by the victim. I also have first hand experience, many years ago. The company might very well care about your personal well being but they are also covering themselves. The FAA is typically more concerned about "passing out" or fainting, Etc. due to myriad other reasons. Drink water even if you don't feel thirsty. Especially if you are operating in a hot and dry environment, make sure to always have water and even something salty like a bag of sunflower seeds handy. Bet you never let this happen again... You should be fine.

satpak77

before you check any boxes on your FAA Medical application, let the doctor "advise you" if you meet the threshold for the FAA medical blocks for "passing out" etc. Get the Dr. name and date/time and document ("note to self") the conversation if needed later.

rightside02

Never passed out , just got winded. Had a buddy who admitted he bumped his head and went unconscious and lost his medical for 5 years .

What ever you do talk to a good AMERICAN before you sign a thing and out your name on it .

Starscream

Bumped or smashed?! He must've had epileptiform or something on his follow up to warrant a 5 year suspension.

There's gotta be more to it than that.

satpak77

going unconsious is a headline item as the brain and related hardware are still largely a medical mystery. Imagine the check the FAA would cut, if a guy's medical application showed that he passed out for UNK reasons in the past, then in flight, he does pass out, and crashes on an elementary school

right or wrong, the FAA is the DMV of the skies, so proceed with caution and get a second opinion before submitting stuff to FAA

Xdashdriver

I would highly advise contacting an AME such as Bruce Chien, who has your best interests at heart and consult with him before going to anyone else with this one. Not sure if the AME you will see is a company paid-for guy or if you have a choice. Either way, talk to Dr. Bruce. He will give you excellent advice and could save you a mountain of headache.

Skyhawk92

I don't really have a choice, only 1 AME here. I have been talking to numerous people about the possible outcomes. I am just keeping my hopes up for a positive outcome.

satpak77

You do have a choice. Physically pick up the phone and call him.

Bruce B Chien CFIA-I-MEI-ATP - Home

What is the cost of a flight DEN to ORD ? That is where Chien is at, Chicago area. How much did you invest, already, in your career ?

Xdashdriver

I am going to give it to you straight...if you haven't talked to Chien or someone like him, then you haven't talked to the right people yet. Chien does HUNDREDS of "difficult" cases a year. He knows the FAA medical folks on a first name basis. He knows exactly what they will think of your case and what they will need to be happy. If you go to this other AME unprepared and he defers you, BAM, you are looking at 100+ days to hear from the FAA, and that is AFTER you respond to their demand for more information. Chien can navigate you through this process, even just as a consultant. He can work with this other guy if needs be to educate him and guide him.