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Aircraft Crash | 9 Mental Stressors |
Aviation crash is very rare but, If you’ve been in a crash, you might have experienced many different feelings. These could be at the time of the crash and in the days following it. Some of these feelings might have included [ shock, trouble believing it really happened, anger, nervousness or worry and fear or uneasiness].
This scenario shows us how
is it difficult for aircraft crew to deal with aircraft accident at the time of
the crash.
Post of aircraft crash, aircraft crew start dealing with first aid or
signaling. this is not what they should do, they must be able to deal with
themselves mentally. In this article, I will try to list many mental stressors
that can be involved in a post-crash survival situation. in addition, how
aircraft crew can deal with mental stressors successfully.
Post aircraft crash mental stressors
1- Post Crash Shock
Being suddenly introduced to a new and threatening environment can be a very traumatic experience. Aircraft Crew's ability to handle this change will depend heavily on their mental state.
If they think randomly and/or irrationally they will act in the same way. After
evacuating the aircraft and treating for injuries, they should sit down and
take an objective look at their situation. If they have water, they should
drink some of it [ passengers too], it will help them to think rationally and reduce
the risk of shock.
2- Injury and Illness
Whatever affects the mind will,
in turn, affect the body. This is the principle behind the whole-body concept.
A continuous, nagging injury can take away from a positive mental attitude.
Aircraft Crew should remember that pain is the body's way of telling us
something is wrong. They must treat the injury that causes pain. If the pain
persists, they should keep their minds busy by doing the work necessary to be
rescued.
3- Thirst and Hunger
For the body and mind to act normally, it must have food and water. Water is essential to survival. Life expectancy without water, in extreme conditions, is three days. Even when Aircraft Crew are mildly dehydrated, mental skills decrease. When they feel thirsty, they are already dehydrated.
If they get into the aircraft thirsty,
then they are also going into their survival experience dehydrated. By entering
the aircraft already hydrated, they can prevent this.
When dealing with hunger,
Aircraft Crew needs to remember that the average person can survive 30 days
without food. Human beings are creatures of habit. We have established our
eating schedule over many years (breakfast: 6 - 8 a.m., lunch: 11 a.m. - 1
p.m., dinner: 5 - 8 p.m.). During a survival episode, when these established
times are upon them, the bodies are expecting to be fed.
The expectation can be overwhelming. Aircraft Crew should try to keep their minds off food by doing the things necessary to be rescued.
4- Cold and Heat
Most survival skills begin with common sense. If Aircraft Crew step outside [ of aircraft] and it is cold, they must simply seek a warm shelter [ for all survivors]. The shelter may come in the form of a jacket or simply re-entering the aircraft. Either way, they have solved the problem.
5- Fatigue and Sleep Deprivation
Fatigue exists in two forms: physical fatigue and mental fatigue. Each form of fatigue will hasten the onset of the other (whole-body concept). Physical fatigue stems from overexertion. The best remedy is prevention. Aircraft Crews should try to pace themselves and take frequent rest breaks.
Mental fatigue is caused by the stress placed upon the mind. One remedy for this is to routinely take their minds off their situation. The best remedy for fatigue is rest and sleep. If they are fatigued, the best thing to do is sleep.
When sleeping, the muscles
relax and the body unwinds. Also, it is believed that during sleep the mind
releases useless information and resets their biological clock. Sleep may be
difficult in this new environment, however, if sleep is put off even for a
day, they will become fatigued.
6- Depression
Psychologically, this is potentially the biggest obstacle that Aircraft Crew as a survivor will have to overcome. Or anyone in their group, whom are suffering from depression they will experience long periods of sadness or negative feelings. If they let depression progress then it can create feelings of fear, guilt, and helplessness. This may lead to a loss of interest in the basic needs of life.
Depression usually occurs after a person has fulfilled their basic needs, and
when there is plenty of “down” time. Aircraft Crew should keep their minds busy
with productive thoughts, such as signaling or improving their shelter.
There are many reactions to
stress, and they will vary from person to person. Fear, anxiety, panic,
boredom, and helplessness are all common emotions experienced in a survival
situation. If Aircraft Crew [ passengers too] don’t keep their emotions under
control they can dramatically reduce their chances for survival.
7- Fear and Anxiety
Fear and anxiety are
naturally occurring emotions. Anxiety is simply fear at the subconscious level
and is described as a feeling of uneasiness. In this state, a person is worried
about what might happen instead of what is happening. If anxiety is not dealt
with, it can cause panic. Panic is an irrational state of mind and is
counter-productive to a survival situation.
Fear is at the conscious level.
Aircraft Crew knows what frightens them. Fear left un-dealt with, may turn into
panic. They must be in control of their fear. To control fear, they must learn
to recognize it. Fear produces symptoms, both physiological and psychological.
Aircraft Crew needs to remember that the symptoms stem from the body going into
the "fight or flight" mode.
8- Panic
When faced with danger, persons
tend to panic or freeze. Uncontrollable irrational behavior tends to follow.
This will vary, in degree, from person to person. Panic is brought on by sudden
fear. If not dealt with it can rapidly spread through an entire group.
Once recognized positive action
should be taken by Aircraft Crew to control the fear. These positive steps,
along with knowledge and training, will enhance their will to survive. Training
can help them recognize their reactions to fear.
Through training, Aircraft Crew
should learn to Think, Plan, and Act logically, when confronted with
fear.
9- Boredom and Hopelessness
Boredom may be accompanied by
feelings of anxiety, strain, or depression. Aircraft Crew should stay mentally
focused on the positive task. If there are multiple survivors, Aircraft Crew
may split up the equipment, and tasks, into responsibility areas. These
responsibilities could include signaling, first aid, water procurement, etc.
The key is to continually be working the mind towards positive and productive
thoughts.
Preparing for an aircraft crash that may rarely occur is not always easy. However, if the aircraft crew [ passengers too] take the time to prepare themselves both mentally and physically, their chances of survival will increase dramatically.
Having the
right frame of mind and being able to think productively are critical. Knowing
the intended use of gear, or the ability to improvise using gear increases
confidence and ultimately their chances of survival.
Throughout their survival experience, it will be imperative to keep up a positive mental attitude. Having a positive outlook may be the difference between success and failure. A positive mental attitude will be tested by many factors.
These factors will
test aircraft crew ability to cope with the situation and will test
theirs will to survive.