AHF 2203 AVIATION HUMAN FACTORS Presentation 10: Alcohol and Stress 1Presented by Mohd Amirul for AMC.

AHF 2203AVIATION HUMAN FACTORS

Presentation 10: Alcohol and Stress

1Presented by Mohd Amirul for AMC

Learning Outcomes• At the end of this session, student should be able

to:– Capable to understand how bad alcohol could

influence human body.– Aware about the percentage of aircraft accident

under the influence of alcohol.– recognize the critical effects that would be happens if

alcohol is taken during or before flying process. – proficient to define well about stress and it causes.– capable to identify the stress symptoms and aware

about prevention steps and treatments should be taken once facing stress when flying.


Presentation Outline


• Part 1: Alcohol and Flying• Part 2: Stress

Alcohol and Flying


INTRODUCTION


Facts about alcohol

• Alcohol is a sedative and addicting drug.• Sedative means promoting calm or inducing sleep. • Alcohol quickly impairs judgment and leads to

behavior that can easily contribute to, or cause accidents.


Alcohol & Flying

• Flying, while fun and exciting, is a precise, demanding responsible.

• Any factor that impairs the pilot’s ability to perform the required tasks during the operation of an aircraft is an invitation for disaster.

• The use of alcohol is a significant self-imposed stress factor that should be eliminated from the cockpit.

• The ability to do so is strictly within the pilot’s control.

• Self-imposed stress means stress that can be more easily managed.


WHY WE HAVE TO AVOID ALCOHOL?


Why we have to avoid alcohol?

United States the percentage of pilots with elevated blood alcohol levels involved in fatal general aviation accidents during the early 1960s was approximately 43%. This proportion had fallen somewhat, but remained between 15% and 20% during the 1970s.

In recent times, aircraft accidents has tended to remain at the 10% - 30% level.


Why we have to avoid alcohol?

• “blood alcohol concentrations of 0.04% are associated with substantial and highly significant increases in the number and potential seriousness of procedural errors committed by both inexperienced and highly experienced pilots”.


EFFECT OF ALCOHOL


The effects of alcohol (general)• Alcohol is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small

intestine, and transported by the blood throughout the body. • Alcohol can affect three crucial organs to a pilot, which are the

brain, the eyes, and the inner ear.• Brain effects include impaired reaction time, reasoning,

judgment, and memory. • Alcohol decreases the ability of the brain to make use of oxygen. • This effect become worst because of the reducing of air pressure

at higher altitude.• Two drinks on the ground are equivalent to three or four at

altitude.


The effects of alcohol (general)

• Visual symptoms include eye muscle imbalance, which leads to double vision and difficulty focusing.

• Inner ear effects include dizziness (not balance), and decreased hearing perception.

• If other variables are added, such as lack of sleep, fatigue, medication use, altitude hypoxia, or flying at night or in bad weather, the negative effects will be increased.


Effects of alcohol (brief)

Impairment of higher cortical functions. The effects of alcohol on visual and visual-

vestibular function. Spatial orientation. Impairment of motor skills. Effects in conjunction with altitude hypoxia. Tolerance to positive radial acceleration. Hangover effect.


IMPAIRMENT OF HIGHER CORTICAL FUNCTIONS


Impairment of higher cortical functions.

• There are specific areas involved such vision, hearing, touch, movement, and smell including other areas which are critical for thinking and reasoning.

• Blood alcohol levels as low as 0.027% cause a decrease in visual tracking performance during whole body motion and in non-moving individuals.

• Alcohol disrupts the memory with a likely subsequent reduction in aviation safety.


Impairment of higher cortical functions.

• Reaction times to different stimuli have been shown to be increased by alcohol ingestion.

• The monitoring and decision components of reaction time tasks are also impaired by alcohol levels of 0.09%.

• All of these functions play an important role in the safe piloting of aircraft. Impairment of any of these functions will be detrimental to flight safety.


THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON VISUAL AND VISUAL-VESTIBULAR FUNCTION 18Presented by Mohd Amirul for AMC

The effects of alcohol on visual and visual-vestibular function

• The sense of vision is required for spatial orientation and navigation during both ‘visual’ and ‘meteorological’ flight conditions as well as the monitoring and adjustment of aircraft performance.

• Any impairment of the sense of vision, therefore, has the potential of adversely influencing flight performance and flying safety.



The speed of the eyes, in pursuing a target, is reduced by alcohol.

Similarly the speed of the eye’s saccadic (related to the rapid movement of the eyes between points of fixation) motion, their latency (inactive) times, and reaction times are impaired by blood alcohol concentrations in excess of 0.04%.

Double vision and dilatation of the pupils, resulting in blurred vision, can also result from alcohol intoxication.



• Blood alcohol levels of 0.05% and above have been shown to slow the ability of the eyes to accommodate or adjust their focus.

• During the angular accelerations of flight there occur reflex rapid, oscillatory (vibration) eye movements called nystagmus (eye-movement) which tend to impair the view of objects within the aircraft.

• This can result in blurring of vision of instruments and a subsequent impairment of performance.



• Alcohol ingestion, and low light levels, impair the ability to

relief this nystagmus .

• Impairment occurs at blood alcohol levels as low as 0.02%.



• Another condition, called Positional Alcohol Nystagmus results oscillatory eye movements when the head is placed in specific positions in the absence of angular acceleration which may lead to impairment of vision.

• Alcohol has little direct effect on visual acuity and the information concerning its effects on colour vision is conflicting.


SPATIAL ORIENTATION


Spatial orientation

lead to loss of control of the aircraft and an accident will result unless control is regained.

Maintaining orientation depends primarily on vision but the vestibular apparatus organs also contribute.

The function of the vestibular apparatus, and its interaction with the eyes in maintaining correct posture and balance is impaired by alcohol.


Spatial orientation

• High doses of alcohol retard the suppression of post-rotatory nystagmus, an important consideration in turning aircraft.

• Impairment, by alcohol or any other agent, of the visual system and the intimately related vestibular system would cause some degree of pilot incapacitation, and could lead to spatial disorientation and an aircraft accident.


AuditoryAuditoryNerveNerve

OtolithOtolith OrgansOrgans

Eustachian TubeEustachian Tube

Opening to ThroatOpening to Throat

OssiclesOssicles

Middle EarMiddle EarEar DrumEar Drum

External EarExternal Ear

CochleaCochlea

Semicircular CanalsSemicircular Canals

27

Vestibular System



Semicircular Canals

Otolith organs

IMPAIRMENT OF MOTOR SKILLS


Impairment of motor skills

• While alcohol has little effect on muscular strength it impairs the coordination of motor functions.

• Basic motor coordination tasks such as standing still, hand steadiness, walking, especially with the eyes closed, and a variety of sensori motor tracking/pointing tasks are all impaired by alcohol


EFFECTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH ALTITUDE HYPOXIA


Effects in conjunction with altitude hypoxia

• It has been traditionally considered that alcohol and altitude hypoxia had a synergistic effect on performance impairment

• Hypoxic hypoxia occurs when not enough oxygen is in the air or when decreasing atmospheric pressures prevent the diffusion of O2 from the lungs to the bloodstream.


TOLERANCE TO POSITIVE RADIAL ACCELERATION


Tolerance to positive radial acceleration

• In performing a balanced turn in an aircraft the pilot is exposed to a centrifugal force due to the radial acceleration.

• This acceleration results in an increase in his weight.

• High levels of this acceleration can result in impairment of vision and even unconsciousness as blood is unable to reach the eyes and brain.


Tolerance to positive radial acceleration

• Ingestion of alcohol reduces the tolerance of this acceleration.

• A ‘moderate’ dose will reduce the threshold by 0.1 - 0.4 G (‘G’ = Unit of Gravitational Acceleration) and will intensify the severity of the symptoms produced by a given level of acceleration.


HANGOVER EFFECT


Hangover effect

• Hangovers is a severe headache caused by drinking an excess of alcohol.

• Symptoms commonly associated with a hangover are headache, dizziness, dry mouth, stuffy nose, fatigue, upset stomach, irritability, impaired judgment, and increased sensitivity to bright light.

• A pilot with these symptoms would certainly not be fit to safely operate an aircraft.


Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.17- Alcohol

• The use of alcohol and drugs by pilots is regulated by FAR 91.17. • This regulation states that no person may operate or attempt to

operate an aircraft:• within 8 hours of having consumed alcohol• while under the influence of alcohol• with a blood alcohol content of 0.04% or greater• while using any drug that adversely affects safety

• However, regulations alone are no guarantee that problems won’t occur.

• It is far more important for pilots to understand the negative effects of alcohol and its deadly impact on flight safety.


STRESS



Definition of Stress

Alternative Names• Anxiety; Tension; Jitters; Apprehension

Definition of stress and anxiety:• Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes

you feel frustrated, angry, or anxious. • Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The source of this

uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel.


• According to Dr. Hans Selye (Canadian endocrinologist), stress is defined as "any event which may make demands upon the organism, and set in motion a non-specific bodily response which leads to a variety of temporary or permanent physiological or structural changes".

• Richard S Lazarus (a psychologist ) stated that "Stress is a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize."


OVERVIEW


• Too much stress, or a strong response to stress, is harmful. It can set you up for general poor health as well as specific physical or psychological illnesses like infection, heart disease, or depression. Persistent and unrelenting stress often leads to anxiety and unhealthy behaviors like overeating and abuse of alcohol or drugs.

• Emotional states like grief or depression and health conditions like low blood sugar, or heart attack can also cause stress.


TYPE OF STRESS


Contrary to popular belief that all stress is negative, stress can either be good (Eustress) or bad (Distress).

EustressEustress can improve better performances and provide the motivation for aviation personnel to achieve the task, to train harder to improve their standards to become the best in their job.

DistressDistress on the other hand, affects people by ‘sink’ them down, causing them to lose focus doing time critical tasks in their area of work leading to accidents.


EFFECTS & CAUSES


Effects Those types of stress are manifested in the following manner:

Poor decision making Loss of situational awareness Make errors of judgement Become confused Unable to cope with increase in workload Absenteeism from work

Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that involve excessive anxiety. They include generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia.

People with generalized anxiety disorder experience almost constant worry or anxiety about many things on more than half of all days for 6 months.

Panic involve sudden and unexplained fear, rapid breathing, and increased heartbeat.


Causes

• Some Major Events Are:Death of a Close RelativeMarriageChildrenSeparation or DivorceReassignmentIllness or Injury (Self or Family)


Causes Certain drugs, both recreational and medicinal, can lead to symptoms of anxiety due to either side effects or withdrawal from the drug. Such drugs include:

ADHD (learning and behavioral disorder) medications Alcohol Amphetamines (A central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and

decreases appetite) Bronchodilators for asthma Caffeine Cocaine Cold remedies Decongestants (A drug that decreases lung excessive accumulation of blood) Diet pills Nicotine Tricyclic antidepressants


Causes

• A poor diet can also contribute to stress or anxiety. • Performance anxiety is related to specific situations, like

taking a test or making a presentation in public. • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after a

traumatic event like war, physical or sexual attack, or a natural disaster.

• In very rare cases, a tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma) may be the cause of anxiety. The symptoms are caused by an overproduction of hormones responsible for the feelings of anxiety.


Adrenal Gland52Presented by Mohd Amirul for AMC

SOURCES OF STRESS


PHYSICAL STRESSORS


Causes of the stress are known as stressors. Physical Stressors

These stressors add to the personnel's workload and make it uncomfortable for him in their working environment:Temperature 1. High temperature build up in the cockpit/hangar increases

perspiration and heart rate causing overheating of body. 2. Low temperature build up causes the body to feel cold, weak

and drowsy (half asleep/fatigue). Changes in air pressure due to turbulence exerts unusual g-

forces on the body and makes it difficult to control the aircraft.


• Physical Stressors

Vibration transmitted to the body from the aircraft via the seat makes it difficult to read navigational charts and instruments.

Noise levels in a typical cockpit are in the range 75-80 dB. Anything above this causes stress and makes it difficult to concentrate and forces the pilot to have to strain to hear ATC instructions. Noise levels in the hangars are also high due to hangars situated near aircraft taking off and landing, making it difficult for maintenance personnel to focus and concentrate.


• Physical Stressors

Poor Lightings at their work area make it difficult to read technical data and manuals whilst working on the aircraft and the use of torchlights are also inadequate, increasing the propensity to miss something important.

Small spaces also render maintenance personnel difficult to perform their tasks as their bodies are sometimes bent in unusual positions.

Poor visibility due to heavy fog and traveling in instrument meteorological conditions


PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESSORS


Psychological Stressors

Work related stressors prior to the mission can increase arousal due to uneasiness but too much can cause over-anxiousness and failure to perform up to speed.

Financial problems such as impending bankruptcy, depression, loans and mortgages to pay.

Marital problems due to divorce or strained relationships due to persistent quarreling.

Interpersonal problems with superiors and colleagues due to miscommunication or perceived competition and backstabbing.


PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESSORS


• Physiological Stressors

Flying when unwell resulting in the body using more energy fighting the illness and hence less energy to perform vital tasks.

Not having proper meals also result in not having enough energy and induces symptoms like headache and shaking.

Lack of sleep; Fatigued, the pilot is unable to maintain performance standards for long periods as he struggling to stay awake due long working hours


• Physiological Stressors

Working long hours without any break especially at busy airports when handling multiple aircraft departing and arriving on intersecting and parallel runways.


SYMPTOMS


To put it simply, the "victim" will experience the following main symptoms:

Physical symptoms• Tense muscles, especially in the neck and shoulders;• Headache or backache;• Stomachache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation;• Tiredness or difficulty sleeping;• Unusually rapid heartbeat;• Shakiness or excessive sweating;• Weight loss or weight gain;• Clenched jaw or clenched teeth;• Fingernail-biting;• Sighing or changes in breathing patterns


• Emotional symptoms• Frustration, irritability(uncontrolled anger) or anger;• Depression or anxiety;• Nervousness; and,• Boredom or apathy (absent of emotion).

• Behavioral symptoms• Abuse of alcohol, drugs or other substances;• Marital problems;• Binge eating; and,• Self-destructive behavior.


• Cognitive symptoms• Forgetfulness, preoccupation and difficulty concentrating;• Indecisiveness;• Work mistakes and loss of productivity;• Excessive worry;• Decrease in creativity; and,• Loss of sense of humor


PREVENTION


A first step is to take an inventory of what you think might be making you "stress out":

• What do you worry about most? • Is something constantly on your mind? • Does anything in particular make you sad or depressed? • Keep a diary of the experiences and thoughts that seem to be

related to your anxiety. Are your thoughts adding to your anxiety in these situations?


• Find someone you trust (friend, family member, neighbor) who will listen to you.

• Talking to a friend or loved one is all that is needed to relieve anxiety.

• Support groups and hotlines that can help.

• Social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals may be needed for therapy and medication.


Healthy ways to cope with stress, for example:

Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. Don't overeat. Get enough sleep. Exercise regularly. Limit caffeine and alcohol. Don't use nicotine, cocaine, or other recreational drugs. Learn and practice relaxation techniques like guided imagery,

progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, tai chi, or meditation. Take breaks from work. Make sure to balance fun activities with

your responsibilities. Spend time with people you enjoy. Find self-help books at your local library or bookstore.


Conclusion

• Ideally, total avoidance of alcohol should be a key element observed by every pilot in planning or accomplishing a flight.

• Alcohol avoidance is as critical as developing a flight plan, a good preflight inspection, obeying ATC procedures, and avoiding severe weather.

• Stress affect our Physical & Mental health• We need to manage well the stress for our

health.


Key Points

Presented by Mohd Amirul for AMC 72

• Effect of alcohol• Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.17-

Alcohol• Definition of Stress• Effect of Stress• Cause of Stress• Type of Stress• Prevention of Stress

End of Presentation #105 Minutes for Q/A session


AHF 2203 AVIATION HUMAN FACTORS Presentation 10: Alcohol and Stress 1Presented by Mohd Amirul for AMC.

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