Erik Zakariassen1, Siri Waage2, Anette Harris3, Pia Gatterbauer-Trischler4, Bernd Lang4, Wolfgang Voelckel5, Ståle Pallesen6, Bjørn Bjorvatn2. 1. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; The Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway. Electronic address: erik.zakariassen@uib.no. 2. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. 3. Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. 4. Air Rescue College, Christophorus Flugrettungsverein, Vienna, Austria. 5. Medical Department, Christophorus Flugrettungsverein, Vienna, Austria. 6. Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We compared subjectively reported sleepiness and fatigue as well as causes and management strategies for combating sleepiness among pilots working in 2 different helicopter emergency medical services operating with different shift systems. METHODS: Pilots from the Norwegian Air Ambulance (NAA) and Christophorus Flugrettungsverein (CFV) in Austria participated. NAA performs flight missions 24/7, whereas at the time of the study the participating CFV bases did not fly after sunset. The pilots are on duty for 1 week in both services. NAA and CFV used an identical research protocol, including questionnaires about sleep, sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale), coping strategies, and work-related causes of fatigue. RESULTS: CFV pilots kept busy, whereas NAA pilots slept and did physical exercise as strategies to prevent sleepiness. The majority in both groups used napping and coffee consumption as strategies. CFV pilots reported more frequently than NAA pilots that administrative duties and environmental factors were reasons preventing napping. CONCLUSION: Some differences existed between the 2 pilot groups regarding strategies for managing sleepiness and causes that prevented pilots from napping. Pilots in both groups were healthy, physically active, and had normal Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale scores.
OBJECTIVE: We compared subjectively reported sleepiness and fatigue as well as causes and management strategies for combating sleepiness among pilots working in 2 different helicopter emergency medical services operating with different shift systems. METHODS: Pilots from the Norwegian Air Ambulance (NAA) and Christophorus Flugrettungsverein (CFV) in Austria participated. NAA performs flight missions 24/7, whereas at the time of the study the participating CFV bases did not fly after sunset. The pilots are on duty for 1 week in both services. NAA and CFV used an identical research protocol, including questionnaires about sleep, sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale), coping strategies, and work-related causes of fatigue. RESULTS: CFV pilots kept busy, whereas NAA pilots slept and did physical exercise as strategies to prevent sleepiness. The majority in both groups used napping and coffee consumption as strategies. CFV pilots reported more frequently than NAA pilots that administrative duties and environmental factors were reasons preventing napping. CONCLUSION: Some differences existed between the 2 pilot groups regarding strategies for managing sleepiness and causes that prevented pilots from napping. Pilots in both groups were healthy, physically active, and had normal Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale scores.
Authors: Dag Ståle Nystøyl; Jo Røislien; Øyvind Østerås; Steinar Hunskaar; Hans Johan Breidablik; Erik Zakariassen Journal: BMC Emerg Med Date: 2020-11-02
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