Effects of a modified ambulance night shift system on fatigue and physiological function among ambulance paramedics.

Objectives: In the present study, we modified a night shift system for an ambulance service so that ambulance paramedics were assured of taking a nap, and examined the effects of this new system on the fatigue and physiological function of ambulance paramedics.

Methods: Ten ambulance paramedics at a fire station in the center of a large city in Japan voluntarily enrolled as subjects in this field study. They worked a 24-h shift system.

Workload of the steering work on a high-speed vessel.

The higher incidence of accidents occurring on board among the high-speed vessels has motivated this study focusing on the actual operating conditions contributing to the incidence. The working activities and workload of the officers and quartermasters were compared between the conventional and high-speed vessels of regular service ferry, by recording video-pictures and heart rate of the crews during actual navigations. An autopilot equipment was installed in the conventional vessel of over 6000 tons, but not in the high-speed vessel of about 1500 tons.