Stress in aviation management slides

1. LECTURE 6 -
STRESS
Aviation Human Factor

2. Stress : Introduction
 In aviation, accidents almost always occur in a
sequence of mistakes.
 Stress is one of the first contributing factors
lead into the rest causing the effect.
 In order to maintain safety in aviation, stress must
be managed to avoid an accident.
 This is where all of human factor studies and hard
work can come into play.

3.  Depending on what particular job a person is
performing in aviation, they must take steps to
avoid undue stress.
 Stress can be avoided by taking steps to relieve
other possible factors.
Stress : Introduction

4. So, What Is STRESS?
Why we STRESS?
&
How does STRESS effect
flying skills?

5. Stress Definition
 Stress can be defined as physical and
physiological tension caused by dealing
with difficult situations.
 Mental, emotional or physical tension,
strain or distress. (Webster, Dictionary)

6. Stress Definition
 Stress is sum of Biological reactions to
our physical , mental & emotional
condition tends to disturb “Body Natural
Balance”
 Stress also defined as a state of highly
unpleasant emotional caused by
overload, fear, anxiety, and anger - all of
which threaten both individual
performance and teamwork.

7. “Stress for Success” by Dr. Peter
Hanson
 Stress not is not a bad thing. A small amount
of it acts as a stimulus and improved your
performance.
 A certain amount of stress is good because it
keeps you alert and prevent complacency
(too relax). E.g: Racing driver, Olympic
runner, Flight crew, ASSIGNMENT, EXAM etc.
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8. Stress vs. Performance
 Slight stress is good but excessive stress lead
to depression and other bad effects

9. SOURCES OF STRESS (3Ps stressors)
 Physical Stress- associate with Environment-
heat, noise, lack of oxygen, vibration, low
humidity.
 Physiological stress- Physical condition e.g.
fatigue, lack of physical fitness, illness
 Psychological Stress– Social or emotional
factors e.g. death in the family, divorce, sick
child, demotion, also related to – mental
workload imposed and overloaded such as
analyzing problems, navigating, decision
making, loss of SA, difficulty to respond
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10. Major causes of stress
1. Physical Stress associate with ENVIRONMENT
 Noise – noise can cause stress as it makes
difficult for us to concentrate and focus.
 Lack of oxygen – it can cause stress because it
makes us uncomfortable and difficult to breath
normally.
 Poor visibility- due to heavy fog, lead to stress as
it hard to see anything in front of us.
 Poor lighting- can cause stress because it is
difficult to read technical data and manuals.
 Temperature – too high or too low will make we
feel not comfortable and stress will come out
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11. Major causes of stress
2. Physiological stress- related with BODY
condition.
 Lack of sleep & Fatigued - the pilot is unable
to maintain performance standards for long
periods as he struggling to stay awake.
 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.

12. Major causes of stress
3. Psychological Stress– related with SOCIAL
or EMOTIONAL factors.
 Financial problems such as impending
bankruptcy and loans and to pay.
 Marital problems due to divorce or strained
relationships due to persistent quarreling.
 Interpersonal problems with superiors and
colleagues due to miscommunication or
backstabbing.

13.  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 an overactive thyroid, low
blood sugar, or heart attack can also cause
Stress

14.  Contrary to popular belief that all stress is negative,
stress can either be good (Eustress) or bad
(Distress).
 Eustress can harness better performances and
provide the incentive for aviation personnel to
achieve the task, to train harder to improve their
standards to become the best in their job.
 Distress 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
Type of stress

15. 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
Symptoms of Stress

16.  Emotional symptoms
• Frustration, irritability or anger;
• Depression or anxiety;
• Nervousness; and,
• Boredom or apathy.
 Behavioral symptoms
• Abuse of alcohol, drugs or other substances;
• Marital problems;
• Binge eating; and,
• Self-destructive behavior.
Symptoms of Stress

17.  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
Symptoms of Stress

18. Effects of Stress

19. How does stress affect flying
skill
 Stress can significantly affect one’s
thought processes.
 Stress can decrease attention and
concentration which lead to poor
judgments and impair memory.
 Stress can cause aviators to commit
thinking errors and to take mental
shortcuts that could be potentially fatal
(causing death).

20.  Under high-stress conditions, people
tend to oversimplify problem solving and
ignore important relevant information,
taking the easy way out.
 For example, an aviator experiencing high
stress before going into combat may, in
haste (high speed), fail to follow all of the
steps of the preflight inspection.
How does stress affect flying
skill

21. Stress
Managements
 Organize yourself- Take better control of the ways
you’re spending your time and energy.
 Change your environment- Control what and who is
surrounding you to get rid of stressors and gain
support for yourself.
 Build up your strength- Good physical condition
helps you to stand up against your stressors.
 Learn to relax- practicing a good relaxation technique
to clearer thinking and decision making.
 Find ways to laugh each day
 Develop a supportive network around you
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22. Stress Management
 Health and Fitness Program
 Regular exercise
 Improve tension and
anxiety
 Improve cognitive
functioning
 Relaxation Techniques
 Meditation
 Self hypnosis
 Progressive muscle
relaxation
and mental imagery

23.  Religious Practices
 Counseling Techniques
 Professional counselor
 Changing the ways of a person perceives the
situation
 Accept life as it goes
Stress Management