Flicker vertigo, sometimes called the Bucha effect, is "an imbalance in brain-cell activity caused by exposure to low-frequency flickering (or flashing) of a relatively bright light."[1] It is a disorientation-, vertigo-, and nausea-inducing effect of a strobe light flashing at 1 Hz to 20 Hz, approximately the frequency of human brainwaves.[2][3] The effects are similar to seizures caused by epilepsy (in particular photosensitive epilepsy), but are not restricted to people with histories of epilepsy.
This phenomenon has been observed during helicopter flight; a Dr. Bucha identified the phenomenon in the 1950s when called upon to investigate a series of similar and unexplained helicopter crashes.[citation needed] Flicker vertigo in a helicopter occurs when the pilot or front passenger looks up through the blades of the main rotor as it turns in the sun causing the light to strobe.
The strobe light effect can cause persons who are vulnerable to flicker vertigo to experience symptoms such as:
These effects are typically very minor and will most often subside within seconds once exposure to the strobe effect has ceased, though residual nausea and minor disorientation may be felt for several minutes.
In extremely rare cases, severe reactions can happen including:
Total persistent loss of bodily functions
Loss of muscle/motor response
Loss of control of aircraft or other moving vehicles
According to The US Naval Flight Surgeons Manual, flicker vertigo is a rare occurrence.[5]
Flicker vertigo has been considered as a principle for various forms of non-lethal weapons.[6][7] A related crowd-control device was invented by Charles Bovill, which "employed a combination of ultra-sonic waves and strobe lights to induce acute discomfort, sickness, disorientation and sometimes epilepsy."[8]
^(online article requires logon) 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine Clarence E Rash: Awareness of Causes and Symptoms of Flicker Vertigo Can Limit Ill Effects: Human Factors and Aviation Medicine: Vol 51: Number 2: Mar-Apr 2004: Flight Safety Foundation
^Bunker, Robert J. (July 1997), Nonlethal Weapons: Terms and References, p. 17, ISBN9781428991934
^Lyell (September 1997), Non-lethal Weapons: Draft General Report(PDF), p. 3
^Ronson, Jon (2005), The men who stare at goats, p. 147, ISBN9780743241922
^National Aviation Reporting Center on Anomalous Phenomena United States Naval Flight Surgeon's Manual: Third Edition 1991: Chapter 9: Ophthalmology: Perceptual Disorders; Naval Aerospace Medical Institute
^Bertomen, Lindsey (May 2007), "You Strobe, I Strobe, We All Strobe Together", Law Enforcement Technology
^Patel, Prachi (2007-08-06). "The Incapacitating Flashlight; An LED flashlight makes culprits vomit". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
^Charles Bovill Obituary, The Daily Telegraph, November 2001
External links
Flicker illness: an underrecognized but preventable complication of helicopter transport.
"LED-based incapacitating apparatus and method", filed in 2005 — a patent for a device based on this phenomenon.
"New Robo-Weapon: Paralyzing Floodlight", Wired Danger Room blog, February 20, 2007 — a description of a weapon based on a similar phenomenon.
January 06, 2023
flicker, vertigo, sometimes, called, bucha, effect, imbalance, brain, cell, activity, caused, exposure, frequency, flickering, flashing, relatively, bright, light, disorientation, vertigo, nausea, inducing, effect, strobe, light, flashing, approximately, frequ. Flicker vertigo sometimes called the Bucha effect is an imbalance in brain cell activity caused by exposure to low frequency flickering or flashing of a relatively bright light 1 It is a disorientation vertigo and nausea inducing effect of a strobe light flashing at 1 Hz to 20 Hz approximately the frequency of human brainwaves 2 3 The effects are similar to seizures caused by epilepsy in particular photosensitive epilepsy but are not restricted to people with histories of epilepsy This phenomenon has been observed during helicopter flight a Dr Bucha identified the phenomenon in the 1950s when called upon to investigate a series of similar and unexplained helicopter crashes citation needed Flicker vertigo in a helicopter occurs when the pilot or front passenger looks up through the blades of the main rotor as it turns in the sun causing the light to strobe The strobe light effect can cause persons who are vulnerable to flicker vertigo to experience symptoms such as Become disoriented and or nauseated Blink rapidly Experience rapid eye movements behind closed eyelids Lose control of fine motor functions Experience muscle rigidityThese effects are typically very minor and will most often subside within seconds once exposure to the strobe effect has ceased though residual nausea and minor disorientation may be felt for several minutes In extremely rare cases severe reactions can happen including Total persistent loss of bodily functions Loss of muscle motor response Loss of control of aircraft or other moving vehicles SeizureThis situation can occur whenever flickering light conditions exist Examples of this include Using electronics on low light conditions for extended periods Sunlight flickering through a tree lined street Sunlight reflecting off of water especially off of rippling waves Fixed wing flight Looking at or through a slowly spinning propeller 4 According to The US Naval Flight Surgeons Manual flicker vertigo is a rare occurrence 5 Flicker vertigo has been considered as a principle for various forms of non lethal weapons 6 7 A related crowd control device was invented by Charles Bovill which employed a combination of ultra sonic waves and strobe lights to induce acute discomfort sickness disorientation and sometimes epilepsy 8 See also EditAir safety National Transportation Safety Board Mind machineReferences Edit online article requires logon Archived 2007 09 28 at the Wayback Machine Clarence E Rash Awareness of Causes and Symptoms of Flicker Vertigo Can Limit Ill Effects Human Factors and Aviation Medicine Vol 51 Number 2 Mar Apr 2004 Flight Safety Foundation Bunker Robert J July 1997 Nonlethal Weapons Terms and References p 17 ISBN 9781428991934 Lyell September 1997 Non lethal Weapons Draft General Report PDF p 3 Ronson Jon 2005 The men who stare at goats p 147 ISBN 9780743241922 National Aviation Reporting Center on Anomalous Phenomena United States Naval Flight Surgeon s Manual Third Edition 1991 Chapter 9 Ophthalmology Perceptual Disorders Naval Aerospace Medical Institute Bertomen Lindsey May 2007 You Strobe I Strobe We All Strobe Together Law Enforcement Technology Patel Prachi 2007 08 06 The Incapacitating Flashlight An LED flashlight makes culprits vomit MIT Technology Review Retrieved 17 July 2013 Charles Bovill Obituary The Daily Telegraph November 2001External links EditFlight Safety Foundation Flicker illness an underrecognized but preventable complication of helicopter transport LED based incapacitating apparatus and method filed in 2005 a patent for a device based on this phenomenon New Robo Weapon Paralyzing Floodlight Wired Danger Room blog February 20 2007 a description of a weapon based on a similar phenomenon Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Flicker vertigo amp oldid 1096876121, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
