Effects of Three Watchstanding Schedules on Submariner Physiology, Performance and Mood
Abstract
The general rationale for this study was based upon issues of manpower, especially quality of life and personnel retention, and submarine system performance. Nine male submariners participated as research subjects, two from fast attack submarines and seven from fleet ballistic missile submarines. All participants were submarine qualified and had watchstanding experience on the 18-hour (12-and-6) schedule. The group of participants experienced three watchstanding schedules: the 18-hour Submarine watch schedule; the traditional, Maritime watch schedule; and the Alternative, compressed watch schedule (6-on, 6-off, 6-on, 12-off, 6-on, 6-off-6-on, 24-off). More was learned from the physiological measures employed in this study, especially polysomnography, than from the performance or subjective measures. After combining the results of this study with information available in the research literature about submarine watchstanding schedules dating as far back as 1949, the following schedules were recommended for further study in sea trials: the A Schedule (compressed-6); a fixed, dogged-6 schedule; and the fixed, 8-hour watch schedule.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA422572
Entities
People
- James C Miller
- Jeff Dyche
- Rebecca Cardenas
- Walter Carr
Organizations
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory