Retention of military combat lifesaving skills during six months following classroom-style and individualized-style initial training.

The current study was performed to obtain insight into the retention of combat lifesaving (CLS) skills after initial training and to compare a more individualized-style training with a more classroom-style training. We measured performance at 0 month, 2 months, and 6 months after initial training in 40 CLSers (17 individualized, 23 classroom). Each test consisted of two 20-minute scenarios with a medical mannequin to simulate combat injuries.

Orientation Comes First: Becoming Aware of Spatial Disorientation Interferes with Cognitive Performance.

Background: Previous research has shown that experiencing motion stimuli negatively impacts cognitive performance.

Objective: In the current study, we investigate whether this impact relates to Type-II spatial disorientation (SD), to motion stimulus magnitude, or to an interaction of these factors.

Method: Stimuli for participants ( = 23) consisted of Earth-vertical yaw rotations on a rotating chair in a completely darkened room.

Testing the applicability of a virtual reality simulation platform for stress training of first responders.

The current study explores whether different stressors in a virtual reality (VR) military training scenario cause increases in physiological stress. This would validate the use of VR simulation for stress training, as well as the physiological monitoring of trainees for educational purposes. Military cadets ( = 63) performed a patrol scenario (military convoy) in which they answered questions about their surroundings.

Leans Illusion in Hexapod Simulator Facilitates Erroneous Responses to Artificial Horizon in Airline Pilots.

Objective: We tested whether a procedure in a hexapod simulator can cause incorrect assumptions of the bank angle (i.e., the "leans") in airline pilots as well as incorrect interpretations of the attitude indicator (AI).

In-flight spatial disorientation induces roll reversal errors when using the attitude indicator.

We hypothesized that an incorrect expectation due to spatial disorientation may induce roll reversal errors. To test this, an in-flight experiment was performed, in which forty non-pilots rolled wings level after receiving motion cues. A No-leans condition (subthreshold motion to a bank angle) was included, as well as a Leans-opposite condition (leans cues, opposite to the bank angle) and a Leans-level condition (leans cues, but level flight).

Training Pilots for Unexpected Events: A Simulator Study on the Advantage of Unpredictable and Variable Scenarios.

Objective: This study tested whether simulator-based training of pilot responses to unexpected or novel events can be improved by including unpredictability and variability in training scenarios.

Background: Current regulations allow for highly predictable and invariable training, which may not be sufficient to prepare pilots for unexpected or novel situations in-flight. Training for surprise will become mandatory in the near future.

Dealing With Unexpected Events on the Flight Deck: A Conceptual Model of Startle and Surprise.

Objective: A conceptual model is proposed in order to explain pilot performance in surprising and startling situations.

Background: Today's debate around loss of control following in-flight events and the implementation of upset prevention and recovery training has highlighted the importance of pilots' ability to deal with unexpected events. Unexpected events, such as technical malfunctions or automation surprises, potentially induce a "startle factor" that may significantly impair performance.

The impact of personality traits and professional experience on police officers' shooting performance under pressure.

We explored the impact of professional experience and personality on police officers' shooting performance under pressure. We recruited: (1) regular officers, (2) officers wanting to join a specialised arrest unit (AU) (expected to possess more stress-resistant traits; pre-AU) and (3) officers from this unit (expected to also possess more professional experience; AU) (all male). In Phase 1, we determined personality traits and experience.

Decision-related action orientation predicts police officers' shooting performance under pressure.

Background And Objectives: We aimed to test whether police officers' trait self-control strength decreases negative effects of high pressure (HP) on state anxiety, shooting behavior, and shooting performance.

Design And Methods: Forty-two officers performed a shooting test under both high and low-pressure (LP) conditions. Self-control strength was assessed with the decision-related action orientation (AOD) scale of the Action Control Scale (ACS-90).

Police arrest and self-defence skills: performance under anxiety of officers with and without additional experience in martial arts.

We investigated whether officers with additional martial arts training experience performed better in arrest and self-defence scenarios under low and high anxiety and were better able to maintain performance under high anxiety than officers who just rely on regular police training. We were especially interested to find out whether training once a week would already lead to better performance under high anxiety. Officers with additional experience in kickboxing or karate/jiu-jitsu (training several times per week), or krav maga (training once a week) and officers with no additional experience performed several arrest and self-defence skills under low and high anxiety.

Effects of anxiety on the execution of police arrest and self-defense skills.

We investigated the effects of anxiety on the execution of police officers' arrest and self-defense skills. Police officers (n=13) performed three tasks in which they kicked, blocked, or restrained an opponent who attacked them with a rubber knife (low anxiety, LA) or a shock knife (high anxiety, HA) in a within-subject design. We analyzed performance (on a 5-point Likert scale), movement times, posture, and movement velocity and acceleration.