Federal Recomendations Regarding Sleep Apnea

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has made some suggestions regarding sleep apnea directed specifically to pilots. These suggestions are in response to two pilots falling asleep on a trip from Honolulu to Hilo Hawaii and flying past the destination 26 miles before waking up and returning to their destination. Sleep apnea was at least a partial cause of the incident. These recommendations are evidently equally important for truckers, who, like pilots, take the lives of many individuals into their hands when they operate their vehicles.

The NTSB suggests regarding sleep apnea:
1. pilots should undergo screening for sleep apnea
2. conduct more research on fatigue on short-haul flights
3. research on fatigue should be given to such pilots
4. guidelines based on research should be part of pilots' operating specifications
5. the FAA should create a program to identify pilots with a high risk of sleep apnea
6. guidance for identification and treatment should be made available to pilots, physicians, and employers

Truckers, and regulators of truckers should take note of these suggestions, as they could save many lives on the highway. Sleep apnea becomes a dangerous condition in any job where a brief lapse in consciousness could lead to dozens of deaths. Truckers, like pilots, need to be screened and treated for sleep apnea to prevent catastrophic accidents.

NTSB report available here.