Understand what the 'oil bath' is, which caused the death of an engineer in Paraná The so-called "oil bath" is a traditional ritual carried out in several aviation schools in Brazil to celebrate important milestones in the training of pilots, such as the first solo flight. The practice returned to the spotlight after the death of engineer Gustavo Henrique Lara, aged 27, who suffered a serious allergic reaction after participating in the ceremony in Ponta Grossa, Paraná. According to the Civil Police, Gustavo received a bath with oil used in aircraft engines after completing a stage of training. The student fell ill shortly afterwards, suffered an anaphylactic reaction — the most serious form of allergic reaction — and died in the hospital. The case is investigated. ? Follow g1 Ponta Grossa on WhatsApp What is the 'oil bath'? To g1, Andrea Bon, former flight attendant for 12 years and owner of the TO FLY civil aviation school, explains that the tradition works as a "baptism" in a pilot's career. After reaching a milestone considered important, the student receives a bath with aircraft engine oil, usually applied by instructors or colleagues, as a way to celebrate the achievement. On social media there are several records of the custom of giving new airline pilots an 'oil bath' Reproduction / TikTok Casio.Lucy / YouTube Mamãe Piloto / Instagram Micaely The Pilot The practice is best known after the first solo flight, when the student takes off and lands alone for the first time, but it can also occur at other stages of training. "It usually happens when a person achieves something new in their career. In the case of pilots, it is common after their first solo flight or when they change category, such as going from private pilot to commercial pilot. Among mechanics there is also this tradition", he stated. According to Andrea, despite still existing in some flying clubs, the "oil bath" is also the target of criticism from pilots and experts. "Currently, this practice has been widely condemned by aviation authorities. When it happens, it tends to be more discreet. The oils used in engines contain chemical components that can cause dermatitis, allergic reactions and other health problems. It is a tradition, but it also presents risks." She states that she did not participate in a ceremony of this type during the period she worked in commercial aviation. "I joined TAM, now LATAM, in 2005. As it is a large and consolidated company, this practice no longer happened. But, talking to people from flying clubs and aviation schools, we know that it still exists in some places." Student who died after a ritual with an engine oil bath at an aviation school in Paraná had a serious allergic reaction, says Samu Aviation school student dies after an 'oil bath' ritual in PR Tradition appears in videos on social media On social media, the ritual is frequently recorded by pilots and content creators linked to aviation. In a video published by the Mamãe Piloto channel, for example, the influencer shows the "baptism" of a pilot after a training stage. In the publication's description, it explains that the moment is part of aviation tradition. In addition to Brazil, there are records of the tradition on forums, social networks and specialized aviation channels in other countries, such as Colombia and the United States, where pilots share videos and reports of similar ceremonies to mark the first solo flight and other achievements in training. What happened in Paraná According to the investigation, Gustavo Henrique Lara participated in the ritual on Thursday night (16), after completing a stage of aeronautical training. After the oil bath, he suffered serious health problems. The Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu) reported that the student suffered an anaphylactic reaction, followed by a convulsive crisis and three cardiorespiratory arrests. The first two were reversed, but he couldn't resist the third. The instructor responsible for throwing the substance was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, when there is no intention to kill, and released after paying bail. The Civil Police investigate the composition of the oil used, the amount applied, the affected areas of the body and whether there is a relationship between the ritual and the student's death. Gustavo Henrique Lara Social media The aviation school reported, in a statement, that the ritual took place outside the instruction center's facilities, expressed solidarity with the victim's family and said it will collaborate with the investigations. In a statement, the Civil Aviation Instruction Center (CIAC) of the Aeroclube de Ponta Grossa expressed regret at the student's death. Health risks After Gustavo's death, discussion about the ritual gained strength in the aeronautical community. Experts interviewed by g1 argue that the symbolism of tradition can be preserved without the use of engine oil, replacing the practice with alternatives such as water baths or other forms of celebration. Dermatologist Rafaela Salvato, from the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD), warns that the main problem is that the product used in these rituals was developed for the operation of aeronautical engines, and not for contact with the human body. "Aircraft engine oil is an industrial product, formulated to withstand temperature and friction inside a machine, not to touch living tissue." The doctor adds that the biggest fear is precisely the possibility of a serious and unpredictable allergic reaction. According to her, anaphylaxis does not depend on the amount of product used and can occur even in people without any known history of allergies. Salvato also highlights that the context of the ritual itself can make it difficult to recognize the first signs of a medical emergency. What Anac says In a statement, the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) lamented the death of Gustavo Henrique Lara and stated that aeronautical chemicals, such as aviation oils and lubricants, should not, under any circumstances, enter into