Analysis of the Facial Anthropometric Data of Korean Pilots for Oxygen Mask Design

Abstract

The present study measured Korean pilots’ facial dimensions to design a pilot oxygen mask which would fit Korean pilots, and compared Korean pilots’ facial dimensions to Korean male civilians and US male pilots’ facial characteristics. The present study selected the 22 facial anthropometric dimensions related to oxygen mask design by referring to previous studies. The facial dimensions of 366 Korean male and female pilots (including 52 female cadets of the Korean Air Force Academy) were measured using Martin’s anthropometer and 3D scanner. Korean male pilots’ faces were significantly larger (mean difference = 1.3 ~ 27.0 mm) and less variable (ratio in SD = 0.29 ~ 0.85) than Korean male civilians’ faces ( α = 0.05), which indicates that facial anthropometric data derived from Korean pilots should be used to design the oxygen mask for Korean pilots. In terms of criteria of the oxygen mask sizing system which is currently based upon the US Air Force anthropometric data (face length and lip width), Korean male pilots were significantly longer on face length (mean difference = 4.7 mm) and narrower on lip width (mean difference = -2.4 mm) than US male pilots ( α = 0.05), which indicates that the oxygen mask sizing system as well as the oxygen mask shape should be changed for Korean pilots. Additionally, Korean male pilots have wider nasal roots (mean difference = 5.2 mm) than US male pilots, which indicates that the shape of nose of the current oxygen mask should be widened. Lastly, Korean female pilots’ facial dimensions were significantly smaller (mean difference = 0.6 ~ 26.1 mm) than Korean male pilots ( α = 0.05), which indicates that Korean female pilots’ facial characteristics need to be considered in the design of oxygen masks which fit Korean pilots.