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FatigueStress

Pressure

Presented by: Patrick KesslerTransport Canada Inspector System Safety

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Let’s suppose that a 22 year-old pilot has just been hired.

What issues will he/she face? Salary Work Schedule Experience Career goals Personal life Competition with colleagues

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Human FactorsFatigue and counteractive

measures

Stress

Pressure

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ObjectivesUnderstand that fatigue and stress

can prevent us from performing our duties.

Find ways of reducing our fatigue and stress levels.

Find ways of dealing with fatigue and stress in an operational manner.

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Fatigue refers to a decrease in

productivity and a general lack of desire

to work.

((GrandjeanGrandjean, 1988), 1988)

( (Human Factors JournalHuman Factors Journal, 1994), 1994)

Definition of fatigue

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FatigueLack of sleep:

Cumulative;

The need to sleep.

Circadian rhythm:

Physiological and behavioural process;

Ups and downs.

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24Local Time (in hours)

Circadian Rhythms:

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Factors that affect sleep

AgeHealthMedicationAlcoholThe environment/working

conditions

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Consequences of fatigue

Practically every aspect of performance is hindered:

Poor judgment;

Slower reactions;

Forgetting systematic checks;

Decrease in problem-solving ability;

Withdrawal.

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Effects on performance

Seventeen hours without sleep results in a performance level equivalent to a 0.05% blood alcohol level (two beers).

Twenty-four hours without sleep results in a performance level equivalent to a 0.10% blood alcohol level.

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Extreme Fatigue Leads to an involuntary and

uncontrollable shutdown of the brain

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Implication for flights

Periods of extended service: Extended period of wakefulness; Fatigue resulting from uninterrupted

continuous activities; Boredom/complacency; Crossing different time zones.

Limited time for sleep: Cumulative sleep debt.

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Popular misconceptions

“I know how tired I am.” “I’ve gone without sleep before without it

affecting my performance.” “I’m a professional and I can overcome

the challenge.”

Why not?It is very difficult to recognize and reliably

determine our own level of fatigue!

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The fatigue factor in aviation:

Fatigue Countermeasures

Z

ZZ

ZZ

Z

Z

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There is no simple answer!

Sleep and the physiology of the circadian rhythm are complex.

There are significant differences among people.

Different flights have different stresses.

Be wary of “miracle cures” for fatigue and jetlag. There is no magic remedy.

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Alertness management strategies

Preventive strategies: Used before a flight and during a stopover

to counter the harmful effects of fatigue, sleep loss and disturbance of the circadian rhythm during a flight.

Operational strategies: Used during a flight to maintain alertness

and level of performance.

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Preventive strategies

Strategies that prepare you for sleep.

Strategies that help you fall asleep.

Strategies that improve the quality of

your sleep.

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Sleep aids Sleeping pills:

May help you fall asleep and sleep better; Some may alter your sleep or have side

effects; May create dependence; Take the lowest dose for the shortest

possible period.

Melatonin: May facilitate the adaptation of the circadian

rhythm and encourage sleep; Its long-term effects are unknown; It is not available legally in Canada.

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Strategies to increase alertness

A NAP BEFORE A FLIGHT CAN IMPROVE ALERTNESS!!

If it is prior to a flight, try to limit your nap to 45 minutes.

If it is not prior to a flight, you can rest longer (1.5 hours to 2 hours).

If you don’t have 45 minutes, sleeping a little is better than not sleeping at all.

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Strategies to increase alertness

What can you do in the cockpit?? Start a conversation.

Do something physical.

Consume caffeine strategically: Caffeine increases alertness. It takes between 15 and 30

minutes for it to have an effect and this effect can last

between 3 and 4 hours.

Eat wisely and drink water.

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If you remember nothing else, remember this:

Fatigue is a physiological factor and it is impossible to change physiology.

Fatigue can have serious consequences and it must be taken seriously.

Aviation makes you prone to fatigue, but there are things you can do about it.

There is no simple answer; find out what works for you!

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StressThe body’s response to the strains

that it experiences.

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Acute stressAcute stress is brought on by problems that arise suddenly.

For example: the stress of additional problems before the flight when we are trying to keep to the schedule.

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Chronic stress

Chronic stress is a result of long-

term conditions, both positive and

negative.

Examples: a divorce or winning the

lottery.

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Anxiety

Can be defined as:

An emotion

A state of apprehension

A normal and necessary phenomenon

Anxiety can cause disease

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26

Per

form

ance

WorkloadTimeline (Workload /Time)

Light and heavy workloads:

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Stressors in aviation

Medical exams Check flights Diseases Pay Conflicts Fear of flying Keeping to schedule Passengers

Noises and vibrations Temperature and

humidity Diet Dehydration Pressure changes Confined spaces Poor visibility

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Effects of stress

Absenteeism: burnout, depression;

Workplace accidents;

Low tolerance for frustration;

Poor eating habits;

Tremors;

Decrease in morale and lack of enthusiasm;

Decrease in productivity.

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The basics of stress management

Identify, recognize, eliminate or counteract stressors.

Proactively deal with the stress factors affecting you.

Rest sufficiently. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise. Communicate. Take stock of your attitudes, your sense of

humour and your affective state.

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Documentation

A number of [French-language] tools are available:

Facteurs humains en sécurité aérienne [human

factors in aviation safety]; B. Emeyriat, Modulo

publishing;

Internet: www.psychomedia.qc.ca

Internet:

http://perso.club-internet.fr/stanb/Stress/stress.htm

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PRESSURE

Urgent demands affect our performance

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Sources of pressure

MANAGEMENT

COLLEAGUES

YOURSELF

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Video on pressure

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Sources of pressure

3

2

1

• MANAGEMENT

• COLLEAGUES

• YOURSELF

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“The pressure on our shoulders”

Accept our responsibility towards a situation

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DEAL WITH PRESSURE

STOPLOOKLISTENACT

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Summary

Fatigue management is crucial.

By learning to control our stress, we

become able to give our best and to

better organize our lives.

Manage pressure effectively

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Questions and Comments