AF Form 361: Chamber Reactor/Treatment Report (Download)

AF Form 361: Chamber Reactor/Treatment Report (Download) – The AF Form 361, officially titled Chamber Reactor/Treatment Report, is a critical U.S. Air Force document used in aerospace physiology and hyperbaric medicine operations. It records incidents or treatments involving altitude chambers (hypobaric) or hyperbaric chambers, particularly cases of decompression sickness (DCS) during training, testing, or clinical procedures.

Air Force personnel, especially those in aerospace physiology (AFSC 1A0X1 or similar), flight surgeons, chamber operators, and hyperbaric teams, rely on this form to document “reactor” events—situations where an individual experiences symptoms requiring medical evaluation or treatment inside or after a chamber run.

What Is AF Form 361 Used For?

AF Form 361 primarily captures data on suspected or confirmed decompression illness (DCI), including:

  • Decompression Sickness (DCS) — “The bends,” skin manifestations, joint pain (Type 1), or more serious neurological, pulmonary, or cardiovascular symptoms (Type 2).
  • Events during altitude chamber training (hypobaric exposures simulating high-altitude flight).
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) or recompression treatments.
  • Any adverse physiological reaction requiring intervention by the chamber team or flight surgeon.

Researchers and safety officers use the aggregated data from these forms to analyze DCS rates, improve chamber profiles, refine training procedures, and enhance safety protocols across USAF altitude chambers. Studies on DCS incidence in USAF training have drawn directly from AF Form 361 records maintained at facilities like the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine’s Davis Hyperbaric Laboratory.

The form supports:

  • Immediate medical response documentation.
  • Follow-up tracking of the individual’s condition and treatment outcome.
  • Long-term trend analysis for aerospace medicine programs.

Who Completes AF Form 361?

  • Chamber operators or inside observers typically initiate the report when symptoms appear.
  • Flight surgeons or qualified hyperbaric medical officers review, diagnose, and complete treatment details.
  • Aerospace physiology personnel and hyperbaric teams handle documentation during both training and operational/clinical dives.

The form must be filled out promptly and forwarded according to local unit procedures and applicable Air Force instructions (historically linked to hyperbaric chamber program guidance under older AFI 48-112 and related aerospace medicine publications).

Key Information Captured on AF Form 361

Although the exact block layout is detailed in the official PDF, the form generally includes:

  • Incident details — Date, time, chamber location, and specific chamber flight/profile used (altitude reached, rate of ascent/descent, time at altitude).
  • Subject information — Trainee, aircrew, patient, or inside observer details, including duty status.
  • Symptoms and onset — Exact symptoms, altitude or pressure at onset, severity classification (Type 1 vs. Type 2 DCS).
  • Treatment provided — Recompression profile, oxygen breathing schedule, medications, and clinical response.
  • Outcome and disposition — Resolution of symptoms, any follow-up required, and recommendations.
  • Narrative summary — Detailed description by the attending personnel and flight surgeon.

Accurate, timely completion is essential because these reports feed into broader safety databases and help prevent future incidents.

How to Obtain and Download AF Form 361?

The official current version of AF Form 361 is available through the Air Force e-Publishing system:

→ Download AF Form 361 PDF here: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/form/af361/af361.pdf

Always use the version hosted on the official e-Publishing site (e-publishing.af.mil) to ensure you have the latest revision. Older references sometimes refer to it as an IMT (Information Management Tool) form originally dated around 1999, but check the PDF footer for the current revision date.

Tip for USAF units: Forms should be completed electronically when possible and retained per records management policies. Copies are often forwarded to the Davis Hyperbaric Laboratory or MAJCOM aerospace medicine offices for central tracking.

AF Form 361 operates within the larger framework of USAF hyperbaric and aerospace physiology programs:

  • Altitude chamber training — Required for aircrew to recognize and respond to hypoxia and decompression issues.
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy — Used for treating DCS, arterial gas embolism, and certain clinical conditions in operational chambers.
  • Companion forms include AF Form 1352 (Hyperbaric Patient Information and Therapy Record), AF Form 1354 (Hyperbaric Chamber Operation Record), and others referenced in historical guidance like AFI 48-112.

Current programs fall under Air Force diving and hyperbaric medicine oversight, including qualifications for Hyperbaric Medical Technicians (HMT) and Hyperbaric Medical Officers (HMO).

For full policy details, consult the latest versions of:

  • DAFI/AFI publications on aerospace medicine.
  • USAF School of Aerospace Medicine guidance.
  • Applicable safety manuals for chamber operations.

Why Proper Documentation Matters?

Accurate use of AF Form 361 directly contributes to:

  • Force protection — Reducing DCS risk in training and operations.
  • Data-driven improvements — Studies using these forms have evaluated changes in chamber ascent rates and their impact on DCS incidence.
  • Medical readiness — Ensuring aircrew and special operations personnel receive proper evaluation and return-to-duty decisions.
  • Compliance — Meeting aerospace medicine standards and mishap reporting requirements.

Need Help with AF Form 361?

If you are a USAF flight surgeon, aerospace physiologist, chamber operator, or commander needing clarification on completing the form:

  • Contact your local Aerospace Medicine Squadron (AMDS) or Hyperbaric Medicine team.
  • Reach out to the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) for training or policy questions.
  • Review unit-specific standing operating procedures (SOPs) for chamber operations.

Download the official AF Form 361 directly from the link above and always verify the most current instructions through official Air Force channels.

This guide is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available U.S. Air Force sources and research studies. For official guidance, refer to the form PDF and current Department of the Air Force Instructions (DAFIs). Policies and form versions can be updated—check e-publishing.af.mil regularly.

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This article is optimized for U.S.-based Air Force personnel, medical teams, and units searching for accurate, actionable information on the form.