Hibernation

Hibernation is a form of suspended animation sometimes used on spacecraft, for various purposes. A person can remain in hibernation for days, months, or years with no long-term ill effects.

Access & Availability

Most spacecraft built for long (or sometimes moderate) voyages have some type of hibernation facility. This could range from an emergency hibernation pod or two located in the ship's medical bay to dedicated hibernation modules.
Yuraalian military ships, including transport ships, are equipped only with emergency hibernation pods, due to the need for combat readiness.

Utility

Hibernation pods on military ships are used to stabilize casualties (or other medical emergencies) who need more intensive medical treatment than they can receive on the ship. Some ships also use it for long-term voyages, as hibernating passengers have few needs and age little.

How it Works

Hibernation is a form of long-term medically-induced coma which involves controlled hypothermia (but not freezing). To enter hibernation, a person has to be inside a hibernation pod, where they are sedated and gradually cooled to a temperature barely above freezing. What little nutrition they need is provided intravenously, and periodic electrical stimulation prevents muscle atrophy. Vital signs are continuously monitored, and stabilizing drugs are administered automatically if needed. No other drugs are required, as the extreme cold temperature keeps the person comatose, although those in hibernation because of injury are given drugs to accelerate healing (unless for some reason such drugs are contraindicated).

Waking Up

Just like going into hibernation, waking up is a gradual process. The patient or passenger is warmed up gradually under sedation; not only would coming out of extreme hypothermia be incredibly uncomfortable if conscious, but shivering or other movement could accelerate the warming process and risk dangerous complications. After reaching a normal body temperature, the person is allowed to wake up. It is normal to experience grogginess and other minor effects for some hours after waking.
The re-warming process, like the initial cooling process, is fully automated and takes place entirely within the pod.