ABSTRACT
The variable successes of conventional methods in dealing with the potential for human error have prompted a refocus on the pivotal need for the maintenance of Situational Awareness (SA) by operators. Practical operant conditioning techniques resulting in automatically triggered and cued recovery of alertness and cognitive ability under mental load were previously used in practice based interventions with chemical plant operators, pilots, police candidates and tanker drivers. In a preliminary trial with groups the method was shown to both generalize across contexts whilst avoiding adding another procedure to the safe execution of a role. Post training evaluation of a small sample comprising two dissimilar and contrasting groups indicated a relatively high degree of acceptance with approximately 80 per cent retention and subsequent usage of the method. The efficacy of the approach to invoke situational awareness as required is discussed.
