Scribd
Upload
20 views

Human Factors Part 2

This document discusses various human factors that can impact pilots, including fatigue, sleep, health, diet, medications, substance abuse, pregnancy, environmental hazards, and stress. It addresses how these factors can negatively influence flight performance and provides recommendations. Specifically, it emphasizes the importance of proper sleep, nutrition, exercise, avoiding drugs and excess alcohol, managing stress, and being aware of health conditions to maintain safety and performance as a pilot.

Uploaded by

carolinamoreno258
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
20 views

Human Factors Part 2

This document discusses various human factors that can impact pilots, including fatigue, sleep, health, diet, medications, substance abuse, pregnancy, environmental hazards, and stress. It addresses how these factors can negatively influence flight performance and provides recommendations. Specifically, it emphasizes the importance of proper sleep, nutrition, exercise, avoiding drugs and excess alcohol, managing stress, and being aware of health conditions to maintain safety and performance as a pilot.

Uploaded by

carolinamoreno258
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 24

Human Factors – Part 2

Human Factors Components

Part #2:

• Personal Health, Exercise and Fitness


• Diet and Nutrition
• Medications and the Pilot
• The Pilot and Substance Abuse
• Pregnancy and the Pilot
• Heat and Cold
• Toxic Hazards
• Managing Stress
• Self Checklist
Fatigue and Sleep

Fatigue is a condition most frequently cited as a contributing factor in aviation


accidents.
Two types:
• Acute (short term) fatigue:
• Intense mental or physical activity over a short period of time
• Cured by food and a good night’s sleep
• Chronic (cumulative) fatigue:
• Many episodes of acute fatigue, stress, insufficient sleep over several days
• Cured by more extensive rest.
Fatigue and Sleep

• Sleep consists of several stages: transitional, sleep-awake, and slow wave.


• Slow wave is were REM sleep occurs
• Must have REM sleep to properly rest
Fatigue and Sleep

• 8 hours per night is ideal, varies with individual


• Sleep is a physical requirement – you must sleep to function
• Without rest, fatigue will set in, causing: irritability, forgetfulness, illusions, poor
communication, and vulnerability to micro-sleep
Personal Health, Exercise and Fitness

• Taking care of yourself will reduce the effects of fatigue, increase G tolerance and
reduce the effects of anaemic hypoxia
• Don’t smoke
• Don’t drink excessively
• Exercise
• Do research on the best methods for exercising
Personal Health, Exercise and Fitness

• If donating blood, wait 48 hours before flying to rebuild your red blood cell count
(hypoxia)
Diet and Nutrition

• Eating well goes along with health and fitness: you will increase G tolerance and
be less fatigued
• Ideas of a good diet vary, but generally are well balanced, low in saturated and
trans-fat, and contain a large amount of fruit and vegetables
• Eat 3-4 meals per day.
• Eat complex foods, simple sugars such as donuts quickly leave the body
Diet and Nutrition

• Are you overweight?


• You have increased susceptibility to decompression sickness, heart trouble,
diabetes, etc.
• Caffeine will increase alertness, but the body will build up a tolerance – so use it
strategically.
• Caffeine will also cause dehydration
Medications and the Pilot

• Legally required to notify your doctor before every exam that you are pilot
• Check that your prescription is okay to take when flying
• Never mix medications without asking a doctor or pharmacist (ie TUMS prevents
some antibiotics from working)
• Read over the counter medications and follow the directions – if it says “may
cause drowsiness” and it works for 8 hours, you can’t fly for 8 hours
• If in doubt, call your CAME or the Regional Aviation Medical Officer
The Pilot and Substance Abuse

• Alcohol and other drugs act as depressants – they depress the ability of the body
to function properly
• Mental capacity is impeded: decision making and mechanical reflexes are slowed
• An individual may not be able to tell their abilities are impaired
The Pilot and Substance Abuse

• The LAW: Criminal code states that no person shall operate a motor vehicle,
aircraft, or vessel with over .08% blood alcohol
• For the average male this is approximately 3 drinks
• The LAW: You can be legally impaired below .08% if you appear to lack co-
ordination and judgement
• The LAW: A pilot may not exercise the privileges of their license within 12 hours
of consuming any alcohol, or under the influence of alcohol
• The RULE: “12 hours from bottle to throttle”
The Pilot and Substance Abuse

• Must allow longer if a large amount of alcohol has been consumed


• Alcohol stays in the fluids of the ear longer than in the blood – causing illusions
and nausea
• Effects of “soft drugs” such as marijuana are similar to that of alcohol
The Pilot and Substance Abuse

• Keep it simple: fly with zero blood alcohol and you won’t have to worry.
• Alcohol and drugs are addictive. If you need help: ask!
• Pilots have been re-habilitated and returned to flying
Pregnancy and the Pilot

• Generally fit for flying, although nausea and vomiting made worse by g-forces,
exhaust fumes, etc
• Seat belts must be worn in the proper position
• Grounded at latest by week 30
• Must wait 6 weeks to fly after delivery
Heat and Cold

• Excessive hot or cold will contribute to fatigue


• Frostbite is the killing of cells caused by excessive cold (including wind-chill)
• Hypothermia occurs when the body is so cold that it begins to shut down
• Requires medical attention
• Very important to dress properly for winter flying
Heat and Cold

• Hyperthermia or heatstroke occurs when the body cannot dissipate heat because
of high humidity or a problem with sweat glands
• Once the body is above 41C it loses the ability to control its temperature
• During summer, drink water, and sports drinks (w/ salt) to help your body function
properly.
• Heatstroke requires hospital treatment
Toxic Hazard

• Toxic substances can affect a pilot in flight


• Carbon Monoxide is colourless, odourless, and causes anaemic hypoxia
• Can be produced by incomplete engine combustion
• Is also produced by cigarette smoke
Toxic Hazard

• CO can also be produced in a fire, but the bigger danger is smoke from the
combustibles: such as plastic and other toxic fumes
• Extinguish the fire and then ventilate the cabin for fresh air
• Extinguishers often use carbon dioxide which will also cause breathing problems if
not ventilated
Managing Stress

• Stress can be caused by external factors (cold, noise) or internal factors (hunger,
mental)
• Stress is normally greatest at the end of a flight – during the landing phase
• Watch for indications of stress:
Managing Stress

• Omissions
• Errors
• Delaying tasks
• Accepting a lower standard than usual
• Fixating
• Regressing to an earlier, easier answer
• Physical changes (shaking, sweating)
• Freezing, giving up, panicking
Managing Stress

• What to do?
• Acute stress (such as an in-flight emergency) can be relieved by ending the
situation
• Chronic stress (life stress) requires elimination of some stressors, as well as good
diet, exercise, and social activities
Managing Stress

• Different people can cope better or worse than others


• Be aware of how stressed you are
• Homework
Stress Analysis
Self Checklist

You might also like