Sleep and Alertness Management during Military Operations: Review and Plan of Action.
Abstract
Sleep and alertness management is a major point of attention for commanders and the medical support of military round the clock operations. Awareness on the effects of fatigue and sleepiness should be enhanced both on command level and crew level. Flight surgeons and safety officers should be trained to develop and implement mission specific crew endurance plans. Practical guidelines on methods to prevent serious fatigue and to enhance performance and alertness of the crew play a key role in these crew endurance plans. Useful methods include the use of strategic naps, hypnotics, stimulants, and chronobiotic treatment. In the context of the development of guidelines to optimize performance and alertness during sustained and stressful missions, this literature review describes the available knowledge and identifies areas where knowledge is lacking. In this context military relevant research issues related to the use of strategic naps, hypnotics, stimulants, and chronobiotic treatment are put forward. Based on the results of this study, a work program is drawn up, aimed at developing guidelines to optimize performance and alertness during sustained intensive 0 operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA372731
Entities
People
- M. Simons
- P. J. Valk