A few days into Operation Roaring Lion, the Dr. Gav company received an unusual request. It came both directly from several Israeli Air Force squadrons and through several posts on social media seeking to connect with the company, with a special request that certainly does not arrive every day, or even every decade.
The company, which specializes in orthopedic products, was approached by several squadrons with an unusual request: to assist pilots who remain seated in the same position for long hours in fighter jets flying from bases in Israel to Iran and back on repeated sorties.
The pilots began to feel back pain as they coped with the workload of missions covering a distance of about 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles) round trip, lasting several consecutive hours without the ability to stand, move, change position or stretch.
The company did not hesitate and immediately stepped in with a donation of a substantial number of support seats. These were loaded into several cars and sent to the bases. How many exactly? The company says “dozens,” avoiding a precise number that could reveal sensitive operational information.
Thus, a popular home and office product, familiar to many as an orthopedic accessory for prolonged sitting at a computer, apparently became the only civilian item making its way into Israeli Air Force fighter jets.
‘Pilots aren’t only 25 years old’
Dr. Avinoam Barlev, an aviation medicine specialist who serves as a flight crew physician for El Al and other companies and heads the aviation medicine unit at the Mor Institute, confirms that pilots who sit for many hours experience orthopedic issues unique to their profession. (Aviation medicine specialists diagnose and treat musculoskeletal problems among aircrew caused by G-forces, prolonged sitting or vibration.)
“Prolonged sitting creates pressure on the back,” Dr. Barlev said. “In addition, during wartime there is also the element of tension and alertness, which causes the muscles to contract. As a result, when pilots move from sitting to standing, many experience back pain.”
Aircraft seats are specifically designed for each type of aircraft, he noted, and any addition — including a support cushion, as in this case — must receive approval from the Israeli Air Force before being used.
Dr. Barlev said the problem tends to affect older aircrew members more than younger ones. “Because our air force relies heavily on reservists, the pilots are not only 25-year-olds,” he explained. “Some are twice that age, and they are more sensitive.”
“In recent days we are certainly seeing more physical and mental fatigue among pilots. Personally, I am seeing many pilots in my private clinic, which is located inside a reinforced safe room,” he added. “I greatly appreciate the excellent work our pilots are doing. In general, pilots are healthy people who undergo comprehensive medical examinations periodically. Back pain is something that can happen to anyone, and it is certainly worthwhile to maximize prevention and improve conditions. This donation is a wonderful gesture.”
Dr. Gav declined to comment specifically on the donation to pilots but said generally that “when sitting, pressure forms on the lower back vertebrae. Anyone who spends long hours sitting or suffers from frequent back pain should consider adding this support — an ergonomically designed viscoelastic support cushion that includes cooling gel.”
According to the company, the cushion is designed to match the anatomy of the human body and may help relieve pain and reduce pressure on the lower back during sitting.
The company said the support cushions have been among its bestselling products for years, even before their connection with the Israeli Air Force. The sedentary lifestyle of many people — often described as a modern epidemic — has led many to add support to chairs at home and in the office.
It should be noted that the cockpit — the aircraft’s flight compartment — is a sterile workspace, and any object brought into it must meet strict procedures and receive official approval. Naturally, other companies also manufacture orthopedic cushions intended to relieve back pain and support prolonged sitting.