German Air Force Aeromedical Service

Transcription

1 German Air Force Aeromedical Service Fatigue Management in Military Flight Operations Nr. 1

2 Hansjoerg Glaser German Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine Fuerstenfeldbruck Nr. 2

3 In military context we have to deal with acute fatigue due to sleep restriction or impairment, night time operations, jet lag, demanding environmental conditions etc. Nr. 3

4 In military context we have to deal with acute fatigue due to sleep restriction or impairment, night time operations, jet lag, demanding environmental conditions etc. but also with sub-acute fatigue due to sustained operations in high intensity campaigns chronic fatigue due to long and/or repeated deployments into long-term operations without clear boundaries or in combination Nr. 4

5 Consequences of Fatigue: decrement in precision and timeliness decrement of attention and allocation of attention decrement in the ability to integrate diverse information Nr. 5

6 Consequences of Fatigue: decrement in precision and timeliness decrement of attention and allocation of attention decrement in the ability to integrate diverse information deterioration of situational awareness impairment of logical thinking and reasoning decrement in quality of communication, interaction and teamwork Nr. 6

7 Consequences of Fatigue: decrement in precision and timeliness decrement of attention and allocation of attention decrement in the ability to integrate diverse information deterioration of situational awareness impairment of logical thinking and reasoning decrement in quality of communication, interaction and teamwork deterioration of mood and attitude acceptance of lower standards occurence of involuntary and unnoticed naps Nr. 7

8 Consequences of Fatigue: decrement in precision and timeliness decrement of attention and allocation of attention decrement in the ability to integrate diverse information deterioration of situational awareness impairment of logical thinking and reasoning decrement in quality of communication, interaction and teamwork deterioration of mood and attitude acceptance of lower standards occurence of involuntary and unnoticed naps Fatigue is a major threat! Nr. 8

9 Consensus: Fatigue is the largest identifiable and preventable cause of accidents in transport operations... Official statistics often underestimate this contribution. 1 1 Akerstedt T (consensus statement): Fatigue and accidents in transport operations. J Sleep Res 2000; 9:395 Nr. 9

10 Aeromedical Factors in Mishaps / Flight Hazards (NAVSAFCEN Data) 1 Categories 1 1,1 1,1 8,0 6,4 5,5 4,1 8,7 13,4 24,1 27,6 Spatial Disorientation Fatigue Visual Illusions Loss of Consciousness Heat/Cold/Dehydration Diet/Nutrition Alcohol/Medication/Illness Hypoxia Barotrauma Other 0,0 5,0 10,0 15,0 20,0 25,0 30,0 Percentage of n = 439 Events 1 Davenport N in: Caldwell JA, Caldwell JL: Unterstanding and Managing Fatigue in Operational Aviation Contexts. AsMA 2007 (mod.) Nr. 10

11 Our major concern in military aviation is the same as in civilian aviation, fatigue is a threat to Nr. 11

12 Flight Safety but there are other concerns, too, which may differ between civilian and military aviation: Nr. 12

13 Challenges and Goals in Flight Operations civilian/commercial flight safety passenger comfort economic efficiency highly organized and densely populated air space Nr. 13

14 Challenges and Goals in Flight Operations civilian/commercial military flight safety passenger comfort economic efficiency highly organized and densely populated air space flight safety performance under adverse conditions military effectiveness complex scenarios (threat, multinational ops, political impact)... Nr. 14

15 Contermeasures, remedies Aeromedical Factors in Mishaps / Flight Hazards (NAVSAFCEN Data) 1 Categories 1 1,1 1,1 8,0 6,4 5,5 4,1 8,7 13,4 24,1 27,6 Spatial Disorientation Fatigue Visual Illusions Loss of Consciousness Heat/Cold/Dehydration Diet/Nutrition Alcohol/Medication/Illness Hypoxia Barotrauma Other 0,0 5,0 10,0 15,0 20,0 25,0 30,0 Percentage of n = 439 Events 1 Davenport N in: Caldwell JA, Caldwell JL: Unterstanding and Managing Fatigue in Operational Aviation Contexts. AsMA 2007 (mod.) Nr. 15

16 Contermeasures, remedies To avoid G-LOC, we provide G-suits, anti-gmaneuvers, centrifuge training To minimize disorientation and visual illusions, we provide disorientation awareness training in specialized simulators To deal with hypoxia related problems, we provide hypoxia awareness training in the altitude chamber Nr. 16

17 Contermeasures, remedies To avoid G-LOC, we provide G-suits, anti-gmaneuvers, centrifuge training To minimize disorientation and visual illusions, we provide disorientation awareness training in specialized simulators To deal with hypoxia related problems, we provide hypoxia awareness training in the altitude chamber and what do we do about fatigue? We could Nr. 17

18 use ressources typical for the military Bravery Orders and Obedience Training of performance to the limits Strong Willpower Outstanding Motivation Nr. 18

19 Bravery Orders and Obedience Training of performance to the limits Strong Willpower Outstanding Motivation but sure enough, they are totally useless against fatigue. Nr. 19

20 So what to do? Nr. 20

21 Nr. 21

22 In German military aviation throughout the German Federal Armed Forces under ethical, legal, and political considerations no medication will be used to fight fatigue. Nr. 22

23 What we can do: Fatigue Prevention & Contermeasures individually organizationally Sleep hygiene / power naps Nr. 23

24 What we can do: Fatigue Prevention & Contermeasures individually organizationally Sleep hygiene / power naps Physical exercise Nr. 24

25 What we can do: Fatigue Prevention & Contermeasures individually organizationally Sleep hygiene / power naps Physical exercise Fatigue Awareness Training Nr. 25

26 What we can do: Fatigue Prevention & Contermeasures individually organizationally Sleep hygiene / power naps Physical exercise Fatigue Awareness Training Crew rest regulations Nr. 26

27 What we can do: Fatigue Prevention & Contermeasures individually organizationally Sleep hygiene / power naps Physical exercise Fatigue Awareness Training Crew rest regulations Sufficient staffing Nr. 27

28 What we can do: Fatigue Prevention & Contermeasures individually organizationally Sleep hygiene / power naps Physical exercise Fatigue Awareness Training Crew rest regulations Sufficient staffing Adequate framework Nr. 28

29 Thank you for your attention! Nr. 29

30 Nr. 30