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WelcomeWelcome Stress, Fatigue and FlyingStress, Fatigue and Flying

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WelcomeWelcome Presenter: Dr. Karen DunbarPresenter: Dr. Karen Dunbar

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Some DefinitionsSome Definitions

StressStress

FatigueFatigue

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Physiological StressorsPhysiological Stressors

Sleep LossSleep Loss

Sleep Changes with AgeSleep Changes with Age

Individual FactorsIndividual Factors

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Physiological StressorsPhysiological Stressors

Circadian RhythmsCircadian Rhythms

Maximum alertness Maximum alertness 9 – 11 am / 9 – 9 – 11 am / 9 – 11 pm11 pm

Minimum alertness Minimum alertness 3 – 5 am /3 – 5 am / 3 – 5 3 – 5 pm pm

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Physiological StressorsPhysiological StressorsIllnessIllness

OverexertionOverexertion

HeatHeat

Poor NutritionPoor Nutrition

NoiseNoise

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Psychological StressorsPsychological StressorsEmotionalEmotional

SocialSocial

VocationalVocational

FinancialFinancial

FamilyFamily

Adaptation to Ongoing Adaptation to Ongoing StressStress

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Physiological Effects of StressPhysiological Effects of Stress

Release of stress hormonesRelease of stress hormones

Limbic System - emotionsLimbic System - emotions

Frontal lobe - memoryFrontal lobe - memory

Cardiovascular – blood pressure & Cardiovascular – blood pressure & pulsepulse

Respiratory – increased rateRespiratory – increased rate

Metabolism – release of stored sugarsMetabolism – release of stored sugars

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Physiological Effects of StressPhysiological Effects of Stress

Non-essential SystemsNon-essential Systems

Immune system – suppressedImmune system – suppressed

Spleen – emptiedSpleen – emptied

GI System – slowedGI System – slowed

Skin – reduced blood flowSkin – reduced blood flow

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Stress, Pilots and FlyingStress, Pilots and Flying

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Sleep DataSleep Data

Average sleep at homeAverage sleep at home

Problems getting to sleepProblems getting to sleep

Sleep promotersSleep promoters

Sleep interferenceSleep interference

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Flight InformationFlight Information

DelaysDelays

High/Low Density Operating High/Low Density Operating AreasAreas

Time on Ground Between LegsTime on Ground Between Legs

Types of FlightsTypes of Flights

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Duty Day Length and Duty Day Length and FatigueFatigue

Perception of fatigue as a significant Perception of fatigue as a significant safety safety factorfactor

Self-reported microsleep (nodding off) Self-reported microsleep (nodding off) and and short vs. long duty dayshort vs. long duty day

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FatigueFatigue

SignificanceSignificance

FrequencyFrequency

Interference with dutiesInterference with duties

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Research Based Research Based ConsiderationsConsiderations

Time on task Time on task

Time since awake Time since awake Task typeTask type

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Research Based Research Based ConsiderationsConsiderations

Duty Period DurationDuty Period Duration

Environmental FactorsEnvironmental Factors

Location of Task Location of Task

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Let’s Take a Simulated Let’s Take a Simulated FlightFlight

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Major Factors on “Most Major Factors on “Most Fatiguing Work Day”Fatiguing Work Day”

Factors contributing to subjects' most fatiguing work days flying corporate operations

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

No

. o

f R

esp

on

ses

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Pilot Reported Effects of Pilot Reported Effects of Fatigue on PerformanceFatigue on Performance

Effects of fatigue on flight performance

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

No

. o

f R

esp

on

ses

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Stress Management Stress Management StrategiesStrategies

Before the flight/All the Time!Before the flight/All the Time!

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Self-Management of StressSelf-Management of StressPhysicalPhysical

SocialSocial

BehavioralBehavioral

CognitiveCognitive

RecuperativeRecuperative

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Stress Management Stress Management StrategiesStrategies

During the FlightDuring the Flight

Strategies used by crewmembers to cope with fatigue during flights

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

No

. of r

esp

on

ses

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So, Where Does That Leave So, Where Does That Leave Pilots?Pilots?

I I llness llness

MM edication edication

SS leep leep

A A lcohol lcohol

FF atigue atigue

EE ating ating

Thank YouThank You

•Thank you for coming this eveningThank you for coming this evening

•Thank you for your participationThank you for your participation

FLY SAFELY !!!FLY SAFELY !!!