title: Assessment of the anti-G straining maneuver (AGSM) skill performance and reinforcement program.
abstract: Initial high-G centrifuge training of USAF fast jet pilots was instituted in 1985. Also, since the mid-1980's, pilot awareness of G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) has been enhanced by briefings, videotapes, and safety articles. Aircraft accidents caused by an improperly performed anti-G straining maneuver (AGSM), however, continue to occur. Deficiencies in the AGSM of pilots in flight have not been systematically studied. A test program to reinforce the proper performance of the AGSM in flight was initiated in the United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE) in 1993. Head-up display videotapes (HUD tapes) were recorded during flight and critiqued during debrief by flight leads for AGSM technique and continuity. Questionnaires were completed by F-16, F-15C, and F-15E pilots assigned to USAFE: 78 surveys were completed out of 110 distributed (71%). There were 57 pilots (73%) who reported one or more problems with their AGSM: 33 noted that the timing of their breathing was too quick (< 2 s cycle), 11 that their breathing was too slow (> 4 s), 9 that inhalation was too long, 18 occasionally did not "get the jump on the Gs," and 34 frequently or occasionally talked during +Gz exposures. Of the 105 reported deficiencies, 67 (64%) were mostly or completely corrected: 30/33 (91%) if the timing of breathing was too quick, 8/11 (73%) if too slow, 5/9 (56%) if inhalation too long, 12/18 (67%) "jump on the Gs," and 12/34 (35%) if they talked. This program was most successful in remediating timing problems with the AGSM.
authors.affiliation: Headquarters United States Air Forces Europe (HQ USAFE), Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Marlowe
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Michaud
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: McGowan
mesh_terms: D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D006112:Gravitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013997:Time Factors; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver; D014743:Videotape Recording