Response of Flight Nurses in a Simulated Helicopter Environment.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if a helicopter flight simulator could provide a useful educational platform by creating experiences similar to those encountered by actual flight nurses.

METHODS: Flight nurse (FN) and non-FN participants completed a simulated emergency scenario in a flight simulator. Physiologic and psychological stress during the simulation was measured using heart rate and perceived stress scores. A questionnaire was then administered to assess the realism of the flight simulator.

RESULTS: Subjects reported that the overall experience in the flight simulator was comparable with a real helicopter. Sounds, communications, vibrations, and movements in the simulator most approximated those of a real-life helicopter environment. Perceived stress levels of all participants increased significantly from 27 (on a 0-100 scale) before simulation to 51 at the peak of the simulation and declined thereafter to 28 (P < .001). Perceived stress levels of FNs increased significantly from 25 before simulation to 54 at the peak of the simulation and declined thereafter to 30 (P < .001). Perceived stress levels of non-FNs increased significantly from 31 before simulation to 49 at the peak of the simulation and declined thereafter to 25 (P < .001). There were no significant differences in perceived stress levels between FNs and non-FNs before (P = .58), during (P = .63), or after (P = .55) simulation. FNs' heart rates increased significantly from 77 before simulation to 100 at the peak of the simulation and declined thereafter to 72 (P < .001).

CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that simulation of a critical care scenario in a high-fidelity helicopter flight simulator can provide a realistic helicopter transport experience and create physiologic and psychological stress for participants.