Changes in Mood, Fatigue, and Work-Rest Cycles Associated with Deep Submersible Operations
Abstract
As deep submergence vehicles (DSVs) develop greater depth capabilities and are given duration missions, the physiological and psychological well-being of the operators and surface support personnel (SSP) becomes of increasing importance in insuring successful completion of the task. Establishment of baseline data on stress and fatigue in submersible operators and SSP is important in determining the safety of present operations and the reserve capability available in the event of unanticipated demands on performance. To obtain information on mood, fatigue, and work-rest cycles of both submersible operators and surface support crew members during actual operational dives in the open sea, 7 operators and 18 SSP were monitored during two separate multi-week evolutions using the DSVs TURTLE nd SEA CLIFF. Operators and crew members lived aboard the surface support ship MAXINE D and 15 dives, some in excess of 6,000 FSW, were made. Demographic information, psychological, physiological and performance measures, and environmental data were obtained during pre-deployment, transit-out, dive, nondive, transit-in and post- deployment periods. The results suggested that disruptions in sleep-wake cycles caused by repetitive deep submersible operations may impair accuracy and efficiency on a variety of mental and physical tasks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA091589
Entities
People
- David H. Hall
- John Knippa
- Richard E. Townsend
Organizations
- Bureau of Medicine and Surgery