INTRODUCTION: Humans confront significant physiological challenges with sleep and alertness when working in 24/7 operations. METHODS: A web-based national survey of air medical pilots examined issues relevant to fatigue and sleep management. RESULTS: Six hundred ninety-seven responses were received, with a majority of rotor wing pilots working 3/3/7 and 7/7 duty schedules. Over 84% of the pilots reported that fatigue had affected their flight performance; less than 28% reported "nodding off" during flight. More than 90% reported a separate work site "rest" room with a bed available. Over 90% reported no company policies restricting on-duty sleep. Approximately half of the pilots reported getting 4 hours or more sleep during a typical night shift. Approximately half reported that sleep inertia had never compromised flight safety. Over 90% reported that it was better to sleep during the night and overcome sleep inertia if necessary. DISCUSSION: Survey results reflected practices that can mitigate the degrading effects of fatigue, including the availability of designated work-site sleep rooms. As demands continue to evolve, the need remains for sustained efforts to address fatigue-related risks in the air medical transport industry. This includes further study of sleep inertia issues and the need for alertness management programs.
INTRODUCTION:Humans confront significant physiological challenges with sleep and alertness when working in 24/7 operations. METHODS: A web-based national survey of air medical pilots examined issues relevant to fatigue and sleep management. RESULTS: Six hundred ninety-seven responses were received, with a majority of rotor wing pilots working 3/3/7 and 7/7 duty schedules. Over 84% of the pilots reported that fatigue had affected their flight performance; less than 28% reported "nodding off" during flight. More than 90% reported a separate work site "rest" room with a bed available. Over 90% reported no company policies restricting on-duty sleep. Approximately half of the pilots reported getting 4 hours or more sleep during a typical night shift. Approximately half reported that sleep inertia had never compromised flight safety. Over 90% reported that it was better to sleep during the night and overcome sleep inertia if necessary. DISCUSSION: Survey results reflected practices that can mitigate the degrading effects of fatigue, including the availability of designated work-site sleep rooms. As demands continue to evolve, the need remains for sustained efforts to address fatigue-related risks in the air medical transport industry. This includes further study of sleep inertia issues and the need for alertness management programs.
Authors: Tine Almenning Flaa; Bjørn Bjorvatn; Ståle Pallesen; Erik Zakariassen; Anette Harris; Pia Gatterbauer-Trischler; Siri Waage Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-04-04 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Elaine Cristina Marqueze; Ana Carolina B Nicola; Dag Hammarskjoeld M D Diniz; Frida Marina Fischer Journal: Rev Saude Publica Date: 2017-06-26 Impact factor: 2.106