ICAO defines fatigue as “a physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance capability resulting from sleep loss or extended wakefulness, circadian phase, or workload (mental and/or physical activity) that can impair a person’s alertness and ability to perform safety-related operational duties.”
Why fatigue is dangerous
Fatigue is a state of physical or mental weariness or exhaustion. It can result from overexertion, stress, or lack of sleep. When fatigue becomes chronic, it can lead to problems such as decreased productivity and increased accident rates. There are several ways to reduce the risk of fatigue-related accidents: get enough sleep, exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, and avoid tobacco and alcohol.
Sleep, the causes of fatigue
Sleep deprivation is a physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance capability resulting from sleep loss or extended wakefulness. It can be dangerous because it can lead to fatigue, which increases the risk of errors and accidents. It’s important to recognize the signs of sleep deprivation in yourself and others so that you can get the necessary rest. One sign that you may be sleep deprived is when your concentration is impaired during the day.
Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness that can be caused by physical or mental exertion, sleep deprivation, or illness. It can lead to a reduced ability to think clearly, make decisions, or react quickly. Fatigue can also increase the risk of accidents. Crew members who are fatigued may not realize it and may not be able to recognize the signs in themselves. One way to recognize fatigue is to look for changes in your body, such as yawning and rubbing your eyes a lot. Also, the person may be fatigued if they have trouble keeping their eyes open or feel like they need to sleep.
The importance of not ignoring fatigue
Fatigue can be a warning sign that something is wrong. Ignoring fatigue can lead to health problems and accidents. Fatigue should not be ignored. Fatigue is a common complaint among people working long hours. It can lead to errors in judgment, accidents, and even death. But despite its dangers, many people still ignore fatigue. This could be deadly for you!
Pilots often have to rely on self-assessment in order to decide if they are fit to fly. The IMSAFE checklist is an example of self-assessment. Another measure that a pilot can employ to more accurately determine his level of fatigue is the Samn-Perelli Seven Point Fatigue Scale (SPS). The evaluation has a scale of 1-7, with 1 described as “full, alert, and wide awake,” while 7 is “completely exhausted, unable to function effectively.”
All levels in between have descriptions aiding the pilot with his decision. Another example of self-assessment is simply a visual and analogue scale. The test is represented by a line with No Fatigue and Fatigue labeled on two ends. The pilot will then draw a mark where he feels to be. Advantages of self-assessment include that they are quick and easy to administer, can be added to routine checklists, and being more descriptive allows pilots to make a better decision. Disadvantages include that it is easy for the pilot to cheat and are often hard to disprove.
Between 2010 and 2012, more than 6.000 European pilots have been asked to self-assess the level of fatigue they are experiencing. These surveys revealed that well over 50% of the surveyed pilots experience fatigue as impairing their ability to perform well while on flight duty. The polls show that, e.g., 92% of the pilots in Germany report they have felt too tired or unfit for duty while on flight deck at least once in the past three years. Yet, fearing disciplinary actions or stigmatization by the employer or colleagues, 70–80% of fatigued pilots would not file a fatigue report or declare to be unfit to fly. Only 20–30% will report unfit for duty or file a report under such an occurrence.
Ref: Download European Cockpit Association Report on Pilot Fatigue
Conclusion
Pilots who are fatigued are more likely to have problems with concentration, lose short-term memory, have impaired judgment, make wrong decisions, and have poor visual perception. They may not be aware of the full severity of the situation.
The only way to recover from fatigue is to get enough sleep. However, a reality check reveals that this cure is not acceptable for many pilots across the aviation industry. Long duty and standby hours, night flights, and disrupted schedules frequently result in long periods of time awake, sleep deprivation, and insufficient rest and sleep opportunities.