THE EFFECTS OF STARTLE AND ACUTE STRESS ON HUMAN PERFORMANCE

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1 THE EFFECTS OF STARTLE AND ACUTE STRESS ON HUMAN PERFORMANCE Wayne Martin Griffith University Aerospace Safety Centre, Brisbane, Australia Griffith Aviation Griffith Aerospace Safety Centre Safety Through Education and Research

2 Some recent examples of unexpected events QF1 - Bangkok

3 Some recent examples of unexpected events AF58 - Toronto

4 Some recent examples of unexpected events Turkish Airlines Flight Amsterdam

5 Some recent examples of unexpected events SQ308 Turbulence Incident May 2013

6 Some recent examples of unexpected events QF72 Inflight Upset near Learmonth WA

7 Some recent examples of unexpected events QF 30 Rapid Depressurisation

8 How do Passengers Behave in Emergencies? MV Estonia Ferry Sinking people on board, 852 of whom perished People who, ' were standing still apparently in shock.' 'Some seemed to be apathetic and bewildered.' Some were [just] sitting in corners Incapable of doing anything,' ' while others seemed to be paralysed, staring and horrified.' 'Many were seen just holding on without moving; yet others appeared paralysed.' A number appeared petrified and could not be forced to move. Some [ ] people were beyond reach and did not react when other passengers tried to guide them, not even when they used force or shouted at them.' One witness reported that some crew appeared bewildered and did not know what to do. Leach 2004

9 How do Passengers Behave in Emergencies? Muir et al Cabin Evac Experiments The behaviour of people involved in life-threatening situations generally falls into one of five different categories: Fear Flight Panic Behavioural Inaction (Freezing) Affiliation Altruism

10 How do Passengers Behave in Emergencies? Muir et al Cabin Evac Experiments During the evacuation trials there was no panic displayed but there were instances of behavioural inaction following the call to evacuate. This created delays and blockages when these people were in exit rows as more responsive individuals tried to evacuate. Older female volunteers were found to be more prone to this form of behaviour.

11 How do Passengers Behave in Emergencies? Responses to unfolding disaster can be divided broadly into three groups: In the first group, between 10 15% of people will remain relatively calm. They will be able to collect their thoughts quickly, their awareness of the situation will be intact, and their judgment and reasoning abilities will remain relatively unimpaired. They will be able to assess the situation, make a plan, and act on it. The second group, comprising approximately 75% of the population, will be stunned and bewildered, showing impaired reasoning and sluggish thinking. They will behave in a reflexive, almost automatic manner. The third group, comprising 10 15% of the population, will tend to show a high degree of counterproductive behaviour adding to their danger, such as uncontrolled weeping, confusion, screaming, and paralysing anxiety Griffith Aerospace Safety Centre

12 Brain Mechanisms Associated with Stress Griffith Aerospace Safety Centre

13 Emotional Response in the Human Brain SENSORY CORTEX PROCESSING ROUTE (500+ms) SENSORY THALAMUS INITIAL APPRAISAL ROUTE (14+ms) AMYGDALA EMOTIONAL STIMULUS EMOTIONAL RESPONSE

14 Emotional Response in the Human Brain Emotional Stimulus Thalamus LA Amygdala CE CG LH PVN Freezing Fight or Flight Response Hormones (Stress Response) RPC Startle Reflex

15 Are Pilots Immune? Colgan Air Buffalo 2009

16 Are Pilots Immune? Air France 447 Atlantic Ocean 2010

17 B737 Simulator Startle Experiment Griffith Aerospace Safety Centre

18 Griffith Aerospace Safety Centre QUESTIONS?