Effects of heat load and hypobaric hypoxia on cognitive performance: a combined stressor approach

This study investigates how cognitive performance is affected by the combination of two stressors that are operationally relevant for helicopter pilots: heat load and hypobaric hypoxia. Fifteen participants were exposed to: 1) no stressors, 2) heat load, 3) hypobaric hypoxia and 4) combined heat load and hypobaric hypoxia. Hypobaric hypoxia (13...

Negative transfer of training: Simulator study into the effects of overruled pilot decision making

In this simulator study, we investigated the potential negative transfer of training that may result from situations where a correct decision made by the trainee is being overruled by the instructor to save training time. We hypothesized that discarding a correct decision in a training situation can introduce confusion when the trainee...

No large effects on cognitive performance in high versus low solar green-flag WBGT conditions

Excessive solar radiation negatively affects cognitive performance. Occupational guidelines typically combine environmental components into one value, such as wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT). Here, we evaluated cognitive performance in two similar 28.6 °C WBGT-effective (WBGTeff) that were designed differently; using high or low levels of...

Energy expenditure during operational circumstances: An approach using and improving available monitoring systems recently applicated in Units of the Dutch Armed Forces

Purpose: Light infantry units, such as the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the Dutch Airmobile Brigade, are expected to carry out multiple-day missions in isolated and challenging environments with limited access to supplies. Next to exceptional resilience, these operations also require a tailored energy balance. As such, the capability to...

The Protective Performance of Process Operators’ Protective Clothing and Exposure Limits under Low Thermal Radiation Conditions

During the early stage of a fire, a process operator often acts as the first responder and may be exposed to high heat radiation levels. The present limit values of long- (>15 min) and short-term exposure (

Negative transfer of training; Simulator study into effects of going beyond alarms during stall recovery training

An often-used practice in pilot simulator training is to let pilots respond to a situation that has gone wrong. This may require the trainee to postpone their intervention, so that they can experience the cues and sensations signaling the critical situation, and have an opportunity to practice the appropriate response. However, some aviation...

Two isothermal challenges yield comparable physiological and subjective responses

Purpose: Ventilated vests are developed to reduce thermal stress by enhancing convective and evaporative cooling from skin tissue underneath the vest. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether thermal stress is equal when a ventilated vest is worn compared to a no-vest situation with similar dry thermal resistance. Methods: Nine...

Competence Retention in Military Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET)

Helicopter aircrew from Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) get Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET) in order to be prepared for escaping the aircraft when ditching into water. Besides knowledge and skills how to escape, self-confidence is an important learning goal in HUET, especially because the underwater events are experienced as...