Off-duty preparation for overnight work in rotor wing air medical programs

Air medical team members report for 12N shifts with a significant sleep debt that does not differ between crewmembers permitted on-duty rest and those with on-duty rest prohibitions. More than half of flight team members surveyed have OE and many report for flight duty within 8 hours of leaving their other job. 12N shift crewmembers are at a particularly high risk for the consequences of fatigue. This is an important consideration as the industry develops on-duty rest guidelines to optimize safe operations.